Orange Milkweed Bug

Description:

These bugs are orange red with bold black markings. The back has V-shaped markings. The antennae and legs are black. This shows the Milkweed bugs at various stage of growth.

Habitat:

Grouped on Boab nuts.

Notes:

The milkweed bug eats seeds by injecting enzymes into the seed and sucking up the dissolved food. Its natural food is seeds of the milkweed plant Larger amounts of saliva dissolve seeds faster and more completely. Many milkweed bugs attacking many seeds mean more food for all. This technique also permits other seed-eaters to attack larger seeds than an individual bug could handle.