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.
Best time to see a Small Milkweed Bug
The best time to see a Small Milkweed Bug is June–September, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 30,331 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Small Milkweed Bug? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Small Milkweed Bug sightings near you
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