Large milkweed bug

Appearance

The large milkweed bug adult is a 9–18 mm long insect. Mature adults are orange with black rhomboidal spots at both end of a body and a black band in the middle. Freshly molted individuals are pale yellow with gray spots that change into black with time. Bright orange instars resemble adults, with orange-black pattern different than in grown individuals and without wings. However, wingpads are visible and become more pronounced with each molt. Adult females have several black spots on rear part of their abdomen, while males have only one.

Behavior

Adults that survived winter mate in May-June, when common milkweed plants have grown enough to provide shelter. During mating, female and male may become connected for up to 10 hours. Eggs are laid on cotton-like material found on Milkweed plants or under tree bark. Average female lays 30 pale orange/white eggs in a day, in several batches during summer. Eggs change color, becoming more intensely orange toward hatching. This insect undergoes incomplete metamorphosis. Nymphs hatch after about 1 week and molt 5 times before becoming adults.

Adults and nymphs feed on milkweed plant juices, seeds and occasionally on other plant juices. When their native plant is scarce, they may become scavengers and predators. Both nymphs and adults use milkweed as their primary source of food.

After feeding on milkweed plant or seeds, the insects accumulate toxic glycosides in their bodies. This, combined with warning orange color, protects them against predators. All milkweed bugs live up to 4 months.

Habitat

The habitat of the large milkweed bug spreads east of the Rocky Mountains. It is found as far north as Ontario, Canada, but is more abundant in south-eastern United States. Groups of insects in all stages of development are commonly found between May and October on common milkweed plants. Milkweed Bugs that have been bred can take over the current population of Native Milkweed's if let into the wild.

Reproduction

Bugs can be bred with relative ease at home, serving as biology specimens. In captivity, they are kept in glass jars with cloth on top. If milkweed seeds are not available, they are fed shell-less sunflower seeds, juicy fruits, or some nuts. Water must be provided to keep the colony alive.