Milkweed bug, orange-red and black. This insect has a long trunk and is a sharp-sucking insect. It eats seeds, leaves and stems of milkweed (Asclepias).
It is found in small clusters of milkweed often on stems, leaves and on seed pods. Milkweed bugs contain toxic compounds derived from the sap they drain from milkweed.
Dairy Beetle is a true insect (Hemiptera). They are used as research insects because they are easy to use in the laboratory, have short life cycles and are easily manipulated.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of milkweed bugs are more of a nuisance than a threat to the plant. They eat the seeds by piercing the seed pods and can be found at all stages of growth in plants in mid to late summer.
The life cycle of the milkweed bug undergoes imperfect metamorphosis. The nymphs look like wilkweed bugs but do not have full wings and different color patterns. Nymph has five instars before reaching adulthood. The black wing pads appeared at the beginning of its development. Young yellow lemon eggs turn into a reddish color. The incubation period is about four to five days. Each molt lasts five to six days.
