The other day there was a colony of some sort of odd looking insect on the side of our house. Boyfriend tried to get them to go away so he could open the door (they were right on the back door) without letting any inside, but ... some got in anyway.

They are smallish, about the size of a small cricket. Similar body type to a boxelder bug. But the coloring of a lady bug, with a red back with black circles, but black legs and head. And they fly. I can't get pictures because they are either too fast to catch, or I catch them and put them outside and I hate bugs too much to try to get a clear picture, yuck!  I searched the North American bug database and couldn't find a picture that fit them, closest was the box elder but the color scheme is off.

Are they shield shaped? They sound like milkweed bugs. They are true bugs.

http://www.ozaukeemastergardeners.org/CalendarFolder/low-res-milkweed-bug.jpg

Hmm, picture isn't showing up. Well, you can go to that address.

They could be the larval stage of something common.

Often the larvae look nothing like the adult bug, Lady Bugs for example (see Pic Below) look nothing like their parents.

 

The colours can vary depending on what kind of lady bug they become.

Actually, thinking about it, if there was a large number concentrated in one area it could indicate they hatched recently somewhere near your back door.

Could you post a picture?

http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/images/deciduous/boxelder_bug_+eggs.jpg

 That bugs body shape, bug with red on the back with circular black - looks just like a lady bugs markings. I can't get a pic of the actual bug cause erm... i'm just catching them and releasing them as I can get near them. And they are quick little things. lol

I'm confused. So this is a true bug then? Like a boxelder bug? Or a beetle? Like a ladybug?

Shape / type like the boxelder ... if the one in the pic was red with circular black marks like a lady bug (coloring only, shape and body are exactly like the box elder) it would be identical. But I cant find any box elder with that coloring online. So confused too. I still cant find a picture online that fits. Wish I could get a pic of them, but soon as I get near they fly away and catching them in mugs so cant photograph in the container.

I dont think its anything dangerous to the buns, at least. Gross to wake up with one in my hair though yuck.

Meet the Red Spotted Weevil aka The Cocklebur Weevil.... Is this the bug ?

There is also the rather attractive Red Milkweed Beetle http://squirrelsview.blogspot.com.a...aopes.html

Could it have been a milkweed bug or boxelder bug nymph? They have spots on them. True bugs don't go through complete metamorphosis, they hatch out of their eggs as nymphs (they have legs, but no wings). Wait, you said they fly away when you get close. Hmmm