Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)

We found this beetle on a couple of Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora) plants growing in the Oconee WMA on the east shore of Lake Oconee just north of the dam. This was one of the easiest bugs to identify. Just ‘google’ ‘milkweed’ ‘large’ ‘orange’ ‘black’ ‘bug.’ And up it comes: Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus).

A couple of bugs on a developing Green Comet seed pod.

A closer view, still on the developing seed pod

A closer view of the bug on a particularly fascinating curled section of the Green Comet stem.

In spite of photographing more than a hundred different asclepias plants, we’ve only seen these bugs on a couple of Green Comet Milkweed plants at this location.
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Identification resources:
- North American Insects and Spiders: Large Milkweed Bug - Oncopeltus fasciatus
- Bug Guide: Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower
- Green Comet Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora)