The Small Milkweed Bug is a brightly red-and-black patterned seed bug that feeds on milkweed seeds and sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides, making it unpalatable to predators — its aposematic coloration serves as a warning. It overwinters as an adult and is commonly found in large aggregations on milkweed seed pods in summer. It is much smaller than the Large Milkweed Bug.
Habitat
Fields and roadsides with milkweed plants
Diet
Adults and nymphs: milkweed seeds; also other plant seeds and occasional carrion
How common
Common
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