Birch shieldbug found in Wasilla home in November.
Observation by Moses Tcheripanoff:
When we began to move the dining area around so that we could all sit at the table for dinner, I noticed a small insect that looked similar to a previous posting. It was in the window sill next to the table moving very slow. I've seem them during the summer and fall season. To see this critter right now seems a little unusual for this time of year. I would like to know if this insect is native to Alaska and the timing of the event seems odd or late in the year. Maybe our house is a microbiome?
Corlene Rose with University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service writes:
This is a birch shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus). It's common in Alaska and is established throughout the Northern Hemisphere. While most often found on birch trees, they are seen in other settings and usually do minimal damage with their plant feeding. It's not unusual to see these indoors at times, but it will not establish indoors and will not harm indoor plants or people. (It may have wandered in or been accidentally transferred on a person or items coming into the house.) This is another great, clear photo set, allowing for the identification.
