Large Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus fasciatus
Adult large milkweed bugs are common on milkweed in fields, roadsides, gardens, and other open habitats across much of North America. They feed mostly on milkweed seeds with a long beak-like mouthpart and may fly between host plants when resources change. Their orange-and-black pattern advertises distasteful chemicals gained from milkweed, helping deter predators. Adults are also well known in laboratories because they are easy to rear and have been widely used in studies of insect development.
- Type
- Venom
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- Large Milkweed Bug