The Red Milkweed Beetle is a stunning longhorn beetle with vivid red elytra and a black-spotted thorax, living its entire life cycle on milkweed. It sequesters cardiac glycosides from milkweed, making it toxic to predators, and advertises this with its bold red-and-black coloration. Adults communicate with squeaking sounds produced by rubbing thorax against abdomen.
Habitat
Meadows, roadsides, and fields with milkweed
Diet
Larvae: milkweed roots. Adults: milkweed leaves, stems, and flowers
How common
Common
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