Why is the box elder tree named after the box elder bug?

The box elder tree is not named after the box elder bug. The trees in question (Acer negundo) receive their name from the similarity of their white wood to that of a boxwood and of their pinnately compound foliage to that of an elder. The name-saking serves the other way around, with the insects in question (Boisea trivittata) being linked with their favorite food source.