Large Milkweed Bug Unveiled: Quick Guide and Essential Tips

folder_openHemiptera, Insecta
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The Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) is an intriguing insect commonly found on milkweed plants, with striking orange and black markings that make it easily recognizable. The adult bugs are around ¾ inch long, featuring a distinctive black band across their back and preferring to feed on milkweed, particularly the seeds source.

Although Large Milkweed Bugs are not the only insects that rely on milkweed plants, they have a special relationship with this plant. These bugs are known to travel south for the winter source, highlighting their intriguing life cycle and adaptability. Stay tuned to learn more about this fascinating species as we delve deeper into their characteristics, life stages, and benefits or drawbacks to their host plants.

Large Milkweed Bug Basics

Scientific Name and Classification

The large milkweed bug is an insect belonging to the Hemiptera order and the Lygaeidae family. Its scientific name is Oncopeltus fasciatus.

Physical Description and Coloration

The large milkweed bug is known for its bold coloration and striking appearance. Some key features include:

  • Reddish-orange body
  • Black band across its back
  • Black spots, patches, and antennae

Adults measure approximately ¾” long. The nymphs and adults of this true bug species have similar coloration but with different patterns.

Geographical Distribution

Large milkweed bugs can be found in various regions across North America. They are known to feed on milkweed plants, particularly the seeds, making them commonly found clustering on the plants’ seed pods1. The large milkweed bug, like other milkweed feeders, travels south for the winter.

The Milkweed Plant Connection

Plant Species and Importance

Milkweed plants, belonging to the genus Asclepias, are essential for the survival of several insect species. Some common species include Asclepias syriaca and swamp milkweed. Milkweed provides:

  • Leaves and stems: Nutritious food source for caterpillars
  • Sap: Contains toxins acting as a defense mechanism for insects feeding on the plants
  • Seeds: Rich food source for several species of insects

Milkweed plants hold importance for their role in supporting ecosystem biodiversity.

Relation to Monarch Butterflies

Milkweed plants have a special connection with monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed leaves as their primary food source. As they grow, they ingest the sap, which contains alkaloid toxins. These toxins provide the caterpillars and adult butterflies with a defense mechanism against predators, as they become toxic to consume.

Comparison of Monarch Caterpillars and Large Milkweed Bugs

Monarch Caterpillars Large Milkweed Bugs
Diet Milkweed leaves Milkweed seeds, nectar
Habitat Found on milkweed plants Found on milkweed plants, especially pods
Toxins Accumulate toxins by ingesting milkweed sap Accumulate toxins by feeding on milkweed seeds

As monarch caterpillars and large milkweed bugs both rely on milkweed plants as a food source, their fates are intertwined. Preserving and protecting milkweed plants is vital for sustaining the populations of these species and maintaining their role in the ecosystem.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Eggs and Clutch Size

Female Large Milkweed Bugs lay 25 to 35 eggs per day in small clusters1. The eggs are:

  • Light yellow initially
  • Turn reddish before hatching

Nymphs and Juveniles

Nymphs undergo five instars before reaching adulthood2. Key features of nymphs:

  • They have wing pads, but not fully functional wings
  • Resemble adults in color and pattern but smaller

Adults and Mating

Adults are reddish-orange with a black band and distinct patterns on their wings3. Males and females can be distinguished by their:

  • Abdomen shape: Males have pointed abdomens, females have rounded ones4
  • Size: Males are often slightly smaller than females

Large Milkweed Bugs exhibit incomplete metamorphosis5.

Seasonal Changes and Overwintering

These bugs overwinter as adults6. Key points about seasonal changes and overwintering:

  • They migrate to warmer climates during winter
  • They return to their original habitats when the weather starts warming up
Nymphs Adults
Wings Have wing pads, not fully functioning Fully functional wings
Overwintering Do not overwinter Overwinter as adults6
Reproduction7 Cannot reproduce Capable of reproduction

Diet and Feeding

Herbivorous Diet

Large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) have a specific diet focused on milkweed plants. They feed on various parts of the plant, mainly the seeds. These insects share the milkweed with other species such as monarch butterflies and milkweed tussock moths.

  • Large milkweed bugs: Seed pods
  • Monarch butterflies: Milkweed leaves
  • Milkweed tussock moths: Milkweed leaves

Proboscis and Feeding Habits

These bugs have a unique mouthpart called a proboscis. They use it to pierce plant tissues and extract juices. Large milkweed bugs typically feed in groups, making them conspicuous to predators. Despite their bold appearance, they cause minimal harm to milkweed plants.

Feeding Features Large Milkweed Bug
Mouthpart Proboscis
Preferred plant part Seed pods
Feeding in groups Yes
Harm to milkweed Minimal

Predators and Defense Mechanisms

Toxic Compounds and Aposematism

The Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) acquires toxic compounds from its primary food source, the milkweed plant. These compounds, called cardenolides, provide them with a defense mechanism against predators1. Their bright orange and black coloration serves as a warning sign, known as aposematism, to discourage potential predators from attacking them.

Common Predators of Milkweed Bugs

Despite their toxic defenses, some predators have adapted to consuming milkweed bugs, such as:

  • Lady beetles
  • Spiders
  • Assassin bugs
  • Praying mantises

While these predators do consume milkweed bugs, the overall population remains stable due to their effective aposematism and toxic compounds acquired from the milkweed plant2.

Comparison Table for Defense Mechanisms

Defense Mechanism Example Effectiveness
Toxic Compounds Cardenolides High
Aposematism (Coloration) Orange and black colors High
  • Toxic compounds: Acquired from milkweed plants, beneficial for deterring predators.
  • Aposematism: Bold orange and black coloration serves as a warning sign to potential predators.

Large Milkweed Bug Interactions

Gardeners and Pest Control

Large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) can be commonly found on milkweed plants, especially on the seed pods. These bugs feed on milkweed seeds, which may lead some gardeners to view them as pests in their gardens. However, they rarely cause significant damage to milkweed plants. Instead, consider these practices to control their population:

  • Remove leaf litter
  • Regularly check for eggs and nymphs
  • Avoid using pesticide, which can harm beneficial species like monarch caterpillars

Impact on Ecosystem

In the ecosystem, large milkweed bugs have an important role:

Milkweed itself is important for pollinators, providing nectar and habitat.

Invasive Species

Large milkweed bugs are native to North America and are not considered invasive. They are most often found on milkweed along roadsides and in gardens. In comparison, small milkweed bugs(Lygaeus kalmii) have a red X-shape on their back and are also native to North America.

Species Pattern on Back Native/Invasive
Large Milkweed Bug Black band with orange triangles Native
Small Milkweed Bug Red X-shape Native

In summary, large milkweed bugs are beneficial insects that help control milkweed populations and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

Small Milkweed Bug Comparison

Differences in Appearance

  • Small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii): Grows up to ½ inch long, black with a large red X-shape on the back, white margins on the wings, and sometimes small white spots in the middle of the wings. There is a red band on the pronotum1.
  • Large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus): Measures about ¾ inch long, orange to reddish-orange, with a black band across their back2.

Habitats and Distribution

Both small and large milkweed bugs are true bugs that feed mainly on common milkweed plants. They share similar habitats and can be found on milkweed plants throughout North America12. While they both feed on milkweed, their distribution and behaviors may vary slightly due to their size and specific preferences.

Feature Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)
Size Up to ½ inch long About ¾ inch long
Color Black with red X-shape Orange to reddish-orange
Habitat Common milkweed plants Common milkweed plants
Distribution Throughout North America Throughout North America

Other Milkweed Inhabitants

Milkweed Beetles

Milkweed beetles are common inhabitants of milkweed plants. One example is the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus) which is frequently found in Wisconsin source. Another example is the swamp milkweed leaf beetle. These beetles are identified by their segmented antennae and distinct coloration. They feed on milkweed leaves and can cause damage to the plants.

Aphids and Their Natural Enemies

Milkweed plants often attract oleander aphids. These small insects can infest the plants and cause damage by feeding on plant sap. However, milkweed plants benefit from the presence of certain beneficial insects that can help control aphid infestations. Examples of these beneficial insects include:

  • Ladybugs
  • Green lacewings
  • Parasitic wasps

These insects feed on oleander aphids and can keep their populations under control, helping to protect milkweed plants from damage.

Assassin Bugs

Assassin bugs, specifically milkweed assassin bugs, are also found on milkweed plants. These insects are characterized by their:

  • Elongated shape
  • Curved, sharp mouthparts
  • Pronotum (a shield-like structure behind their head)

Assassin bugs are considered beneficial insects because they feed on a variety of pests, including slugs, snails, mites, and other insects. They undergo simple metamorphosis, meaning that their juveniles look similar to adults, just smaller and without wings. A new generation of milkweed assassin bugs can help control pest populations on milkweed plants and contribute to a healthier ecosystem.

Footnotes

  1. Good Growing 2 3 4 5
  2. Milkweed Bugs, Large and Small (Family Lygaedidae) 2 3 4
  3. Large Milkweed Bug | Missouri Department of Conservation
  4. More than monarchs – What are those bugs on my milkweed?
  5. Milkweed Bugs, Large and Small (Family Lygaedidae)
  6. Common Milkweed Insects – Wisconsin Horticulture 2
  7. Milkweed Bug | NC State Extension Publications

Authors

  • Bugman

    Bugman aka Daniel Marlos has been identifying bugs since 1999. whatsthatbug.com is his passion project and it has helped millions of readers identify the bug that has been bugging them for over two decades. You can reach out to him through our Contact Page.

    View all posts
  • Piyushi Dhir

    Piyushi is a nature lover, blogger and traveler at heart. She lives in beautiful Canada with her family. Piyushi is an animal lover and loves to write about all creatures.

    View all posts
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40 Comments. Leave new

  • We have had milkweed bugs on our oleanders for years in the high desert in Southern California.

    Reply
  • This is a nymph of Zelus longipes, the milkweed assassin bug.

    Reply
  • Hi, I have lots of these bugs in Melbourne , Australia however I dont have milkweed plant, however they are feeding from the juices of our fruit tees and vegetables, leaving them all shriveled up . They seem to multiply alot each year. What is the best way to kill them all? I been stepping on them and a few minutes later another one is feeding on the one that I had killed.

    Reply
  • Caroline Deegan
    April 8, 2014 12:11 pm

    Found a lot of them today on our oleanders in Cave Creek AZ (Sonoran Desert,just north of Phoenix metro area).
    Wonder if they are harmful to the plant–so far ours look OK?
    Caroline

    Reply
  • Caroline Deegan
    April 8, 2014 12:11 pm

    Found a lot of them today on our oleanders in Cave Creek AZ (Sonoran Desert,just north of Phoenix metro area).
    Wonder if they are harmful to the plant–so far ours look OK?
    Caroline

    Reply
    • They feed on the juices found in the seeds and seed pods, so they will not harm the parent plant. They will have a negative impact on the production of viable seeds, but that is not an issue with garden oleander.

      Reply
  • Over the last week or so I’ve been uncovering milkweed type bugs scurring around in the rocks under my oleander trees in Tucson Arizona. I wasnt sure if I needed to attempt to extinguish them or not since last year I did get rid of aphids all over the same oleander trees. Judging by other comments, I will leave them be for now and let nature take its course.

    Reply
  • Jennifer Street
    January 7, 2015 4:00 pm

    What do these milkweed insects do and what purpose do they serve??

    Reply
    • According to BugGuide. they feed on: “Seeds of milkweed plants. They can be reared and fed other seeds such as sunflower, watermelon, cashew, etc.” The purpose they serve is to be part of the intricate web of life on our planet.

      Reply
  • marla wilkins
    April 1, 2015 11:55 am

    we have the same bugs in our garden. Are they harmful to plants??

    Reply
  • Soooo, do they bite?

    Reply
    • While we concede that it is possible they might bite, we have never heard of a single instance where a person was bitten by a Small Milkweed Bug.

      Reply
  • I live in southeast FL and have dozens of milkweed bugs infesting my Oleander shrubs. They definitely eat off the pods but are also eating the leaves, leaving my Oleander sparse. Any advice on how to rid my Oleander of the milkweed bug??

    Reply
    • We do not provide extermination advice. Milkweed Bugs suck the fluids from plants. They do not chew on leaves.

      Reply
  • I have found a similar looking bug in Albany, congregating on a Lavender bush. I decided it was a False Milkweed Bug (which made sense since there was no milkweed where the bug was). The two species seem indistinguishable! A mass of the bugs on a sunny day June 2016

    Reply
  • I just found a huge cluster of these milkweed bugs on my Oleanders. I saw a few last year too. My plants are happy, healthy and very pretty.

    Reply
  • Angeleen Stapley
    March 31, 2017 8:37 am

    I live in Mesa, Az and my Oleanders are covered with these bugs. I have also found that something has been eating on the leaves of my vegetable plants. These are the only bugs I have seen around them. Could they be eating the leaves of my vegetables?

    Reply
    • Large Milkweed Bugs have mouths designed to pierce and suck fluids. If your vegetables are showing signs of being chewed, you have a different culprit.

      Reply
  • My oleander is usually beautiful, however, just recently I have noticed it is not flowering and looks very sad. Upon close inspection, I noticed there are hundreds and hundreds of orange bugs that look exactly like the milk weed bug. I am at a loss as what to do, because I hate killing anything, however, I think I’m going to have to do something, because my tree Oleander is very sick and sad looking:-(

    Reply
  • I just discovered that my oleander bush is infected with the large milkweed bug. I live in Central Florida. Are they damaging to the bush? They’re very pretty and I don’t want to do anything to harm them if they aren’t.

    Reply
    • They will not harm the plant, but they do affect seed production, which we doubt is a concern for your garden.

      Reply
  • Oncopeltus fasciatus is the large milkweed bug, not the netting beetle

    Reply
    • Oops. thanks for the correction. Guess at some point, we were on auto-pilot and stopped reading what we were writing.

      Reply
  • Christy Henson
    July 5, 2018 5:42 pm

    I’m in South Carolina and just planted 5 oleander plants. I have never seen a milk weed bug until now. There are lots of them on my plants.

    Reply
    • That sucks, Oleanders are amazing, good luck with finding a treatment to get rid of them:-(

      Reply
  • I have them on my oleander in NW Florida Panhandle. They don’t appear to be doing any damage but my plants have not flowered since the end of June. It is now mid-September. Not sure if there’s any relationship

    Reply
  • Would it be possible to provide me with an online, extension type source that confirms that the…
    “Adults (small milkweed bugs) suck nectar from flowers of various herbaceous plants, and also feed on milkweed seeds(?). Also reported to be scavengers and predators, especially in spring when milkweed seeds are scarce. They have been reported feeding on honey bees, monarch caterpillars and pupae, and dogbane beetles, among others.” I need a research based source> Your help is appreciated!

    Reply
  • Would it be possible to provide me with an online, extension type source that confirms that the…
    “Adults (small milkweed bugs) suck nectar from flowers of various herbaceous plants, and also feed on milkweed seeds(?). Also reported to be scavengers and predators, especially in spring when milkweed seeds are scarce. They have been reported feeding on honey bees, monarch caterpillars and pupae, and dogbane beetles, among others.” I need a research based source> Your help is appreciated!

    Reply
    • The BugGuide link is in our posting, but the Richard B. Boot research paper entitled The Life of a California population facultative Milkweed Bug Lygaeus kalmii is here.

      Reply
  • Reply
  • Do these pose a threat to plants? For example, do they eat roots, new leaves? Do they bite people? Are they poisonous to pets who might be silly enough to eat one? This is the first time I have seen SO MANY in our yard (fake grass, rocks,-typical Las Vegas yard)

    Reply
  • Milkweed bugs have infested and are sucking the juice out of my Milkweed plants. They are not harmless. I am not eradicating but are killing hundreds of them every day. NE Florida

    Reply
  • Is this bug poisonous or not?

    Reply
  • hello, i have recently purchased a large habitat fit for all sorts of bugs. i had some friends pick out some bugs that were easy to find and place them in a cage. we have put putting plants in their cage however, they are slowly dying. and they won’t reproduce? we don’t really understand what happening. please explain !

    please, and thank you , reagan sims😃

    Reply

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