July 14th, 2012. Some of the Maroon Carolina
Milkvine (Matelea carolinensis) seed pods are ripening. And right on schedule,
Large Milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) have turned up out of nowhere to
mate and lay eggs on the pods. The resulting young will feed on the seeds of
milkweeds and milkvines.
A ripening Maroon Carolina Milkvine seed pod ripening; this
species belongs to the spinypod milkvines.
A mating pair of Large Milkweed bugs.
Before
long, the nymphs will emerge and will feed on the seeds
A
closer view of an individual nymph
The
milkvine seeds. The ‘meat’ is the raised segment in the center of the seed.
The
nymphs will eat the meat and leave a halo. One of the reasons the world isn’t over-run
with milkweeds and milkvines.
Click on an
image to view a larger image
Identification resources:
- North
American Insects and Spiders: Large Milkweed Bug - Oncopeltus fasciatus
- Bug Guide:
Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus)
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