Large Milkweed Bug — printable fact sheet

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Large Milkweed Bug

Oncopeltus fasciatus

The large milkweed bug is a brightly colored insect commonly found on milkweed plants throughout North America. Recognizable by its vivid orange and black pattern, this bug specializes in feeding on the seeds, leaves, and stems of milkweed. Its coloration serves as a warning to …

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Lygaeidae

Habitat

Open fields and meadows with abundant milkweed plants

Diet

Herbivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

1-2 months

Weight

0.03-0.06 grams

Scientific name

Oncopeltus fasciatus

Did you know?

Milkweed bugs have specialized mouthparts that allow them to pierce and suck nutrients from seeds and stems, making them highly adapted to their food source.
Milkweed bugs are immune to the toxic compounds in milkweed that deter most other animals. Their striking coloration is an example of aposematism, warning predators of their toxicity. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, developing from nymphs directly into adults without a pupal stage.

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