Subject: Red and black bug
Geographic location of the bug: Fountain valley, ca
Date: 03/23/2019
Time: 03:32 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello, Bugman!
I found three of these today on a milkweed (which I planted to attract monarchs). Two of them were mating. I live in Orange County, California, about five miles from the coast. Any idea what it is?
How you want your letter signed: Jennifer
Dear Jennifer,
This is a benign Large Milkweed Bug and it will not harm your milkweed plants. According to BugGuide, they eat: “Seeds of milkweed plants. They can be reared and fed other seeds such as sunflower, watermelon, cashew”