If you have a golden rain tree in your yard, this exotic plant may hold one more surprise as summer winds down and fall approaches. In their new urban home, winter shelter for the golden rain tree bug might be an instructional building, a nearby dormitory, or maybe a home. In the wild, shelter might be a fallen log, a pile of branches and leaves, or a rocky outcropping. The rain tree surprise begins when the weather finally turns cold and the bugs seek shelter. Adult golden rain tree bugs use this rich source of food to fatten-up in preparation for winter. Once liquefied, these nutrients are sucked up the beak and into the gut of the bug where they are converted to proteins used for growth and reproduction, or broken down to supply the energy for all the running about and mating that occupies the time of these bugs. Digestive enzymes pumped into the seed break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Using their beaks, nymphs and adults pierce the tough seed coat and probe the nutritious meat of the seed. While the weather remains warm, these beautiful red and black insects will mate, lay eggs, and feed on the bounty of the rain tree. We met other rhopalids in previous episodes including boxelder bugs and curious Niesthrea lousianica, the eater of mallows. Jadera belongs to the clan of true bugs known as scentless plant bugs or Rhopalidae. Golden rain tree bug is a “true” bug identified by its sucking mouthparts, young that are called nymphs, and half-leathery, half-membranous front wings. A striking insect called the red-shouldered bug or golden rain tree bug has evolved to use the seeds of soapberries as food. Our southern and gulf-coast states are home to several native plants belonging to the golden rain tree family of plants, the Sapindaceae, commonly called soapberries. Legions of seeds rain to earth beneath the golden rain tree in autumn. Several dark brown seeds are produced within each pod. They can even grow in a wide range of soils including clay, sand, loam, alkaline, and acidic. However, golden raintrees grow fine in partial shade as well. The tree grows fastest in a full sun location in moist, rich, deep, well-drained soils. The seedpods are reddish-purple when developing and turn brown as they mature. Golden raintrees don’t require kid-glove care. In autumn the flowers produce interesting bunches of showy, papery seedpods. Its ornamental value comes from large clusters of bright yellow flowers displayed from summer into fall. It withstands a variety of growing conditions and soil types. They sprout from their roots, so be prepared to chop them down again as soon as re-growth occurs, repeating the process until the root system is exhausted.Golden rain tree, Koelreuteria paniculata, is a beautiful ornamental tree widely planted in landscapes throughout North America. In this case, the best approach is to cut them to the ground, whether with a mower for tiny seedlings or a saw for more established ones. This is effective for scattered seedlings less than waist high, but gets difficult once the trees are much bigger or if there are hundreds to deal with. One is to remove them by hand, roots and all. If you find golden rain seedlings growing where you don't want them, there are two primary options for controlling them. It can even spread into natural areas and displace native species - this is particularly problematic in the Deep South and other warm climates. However, in certain parts of the country it has a tendency to spread itself by seed, popping up all over the landscape where it is not desired. Pests and disease generally aren't an issue with the golden rain tree. Potential Problems and Invasive Tendencies
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