Will this insect sting?

[Rick]

I hate to argue with a pest control guy, but I think they may bite on occassion, not sting. I have them alot around my area in NY. I know I got a good liitle mark from one once...

EGADS!!!! What Me wrong?!?!?!? Never....

I am no insect expert, not in the least, but to my eye this looks more like a leaf-footed bug than a box elder beetle. The box elder beetles are everywhere in fall near my folks' house in Mass. Box elders were planted along the edge of 495 nearby and they are like weeds now there.
The bugs literally cover the sunny side of the house this time of year.

Again, not sure, but this looks more like Leptoglossus occidentalis to me. It just so happens I am teaching 2 insect lessons today, so I'm kinda up on this stuff .

YIKES!!! Me wrong Again?!?!?! Just a concidence!!!

In defense of the box elder...it is indiginous unlike the Nrway Maple. The box elder is a fast growing short lived tree. It will grow in old lots etc. It has a huge importance to the Evening Grosbeak. This bird has declining numbers across its range. It has been suggested by a prominent ornithologist Dr Kress that box elders are encouraged to grow. He does understand that this tree is not held in high regard by gardeners and landscapers. He suggests other maples will work but are not as good as the box elder to feed these wonderful birds.

I have some norway maple wood for the next winter gathering.

Sheesh !!! Now the Horned Evening Grosbeak Tree people are comuing after me!!!!

Seriously, I thought I saw twinges of red on the bugs back - I have known that I needed reading glasses for some time. Maybe it is a good thing I got out of pest control and into pharmaceuticals (taking the wrong pill can't hurt as much as getting sprayed with pesticides..... RIGHT????)

Thanks for the follow-ups, though and I'll make sure it is a Norway Maple that I cut down and bring top a gathering!!!!