I have hundreds of these little 1/2 dark gray & 1/2 red bugs in my yard. What are they? Part of my back yard?

Question

is graveled & that is where I see them.

Answer 1

Sounds like Box Elder bugs. I've got them too. I think they're pests more than anything. Someone else might have a better take on them.

Answer 2

They could be ladybugs. They metamorph around this time. Hard to say if ther is not a picture, but I know that, because I teach a unit on ladybugs, that they start out sort of like what you described.

Answer 3

They're either box elder bugs, as the first poster says, or harlequin bugs. Box elder bugs don't do much damage, but harlequin bugs will, so you probable need to figure out which it is.