Milkweed Bug

Description:

Brilliant orange and black bugs approximately 2 cm. in length at maturity.

Habitat:

As the name implies, these bugs are found feeding on the seeds of milkweed plants, most often in open fields and prairies.

Notes:

Often referred to locally as Milkweed Beetles, these are not beetles. The Milkweed Bug is a true bug (order Hemiptera), classified by its mouthpart or rostrum. The tiny black wings in the photo indicate that these bugs are immature larvae.