Large milkweed bugs (mostly nymphs)

Description:

ADULT: overall black and orange - leathery portion of forewing with orange forward-pointing triangle anteriorly, and orange backward-pointing triangle posteriorly, separated by a black band in the middle; membranous portion of forewing black; pronotum black with orange lateral margins; freshly-molted young adults are very pale yellow, their color becoming darker and more orangish with age; adult males have a black band on the ventral side of the fourth abdominal segment; adult females have two black spots in that location.

NYMPH: early instars have a bright orange abdomen, developing black spots with age; later instars are more orangish-yellow; pronotum orange with black posterior margin; wingpads black, lengthening with age.

EGG: oblong with three downcurved projections at tip; color initially yellow, changing to orange and then bright red before hatching. (information from BugGuide)

Habitat:

Tallgrass prairie

Notes:

This spotting took place at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.