Fall is coming and the milkweeds have flowered are are producing seed pods. The Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) is feasting on the pods.
There are two species of Milkweed Bugs in our area -- Large and Small. They can be identified by the coloration on their backs. Large Milkweed Bugs have a black bar across their backs. Small Milkweed Bugs (shown above) have an orange X.
Milkweed Bugs have few predators as they ingest the toxic compounds produced by the milkweed plants. The Box Elder Bug has used this to its advantage -- it does not eat milkweed, yet it looks very similar to a Milkweed Bug in shape and coloration.
