Small Milkweed Bug

Lygaeus kalmii

Description:

"Adults 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." (From BugGuide.net)

Habitat:

Fields, meadows containing milkweed and other flowers

Notes:

Found on my glass door, just hanging out. Probably hunting for the small insects that gather there. Found during daytime.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Doren B 10 years ago

Small Milkweed Bug

Lygaeus kalmii Species Lygaeus kalmii - Small Milkweed Bug - BugGuide.Net

2 Comments

AshleyM.Goncalves 10 years ago

Doren, I appreciate your feedback so much! I will be updating its name shortly!

Doren B 10 years ago

There are two kinds of milkweed bugs and they have a similar appearance. This appears to be the Small Milkweed Bug.
The Large Milkweed Bug has a conspicuous dark band across the wings. See this page for a comparison:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/504