butterfly milkweed has bugs (lots)

Carol Dee

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The butterfly milkweed is COVERED in these. Any idea what they are? Harmful or helpful insect. They are soft bodies, no wings (yet?) .
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Oncopeltus fasciatus. This stage of "nymph". Oncopeltus fastsiatus eat oily seeds. They suck them to their proboscis. Moisture these bugs are obtained from young stems of grass. I do not know what harm they bring to the garden for you. Here, nature lovers grow it in a terrarium. As food for reptiles.
 
A-ha! That would have been my 1st guess, but I was too lazy to look it up. I figured one of my smart TEG friends would know right away! ;) Thanks @Larisa
 
I had lots of them last yr. I did a lot of squishing and dumping in soapy water.
They are also called milkweed beetle. I have them this yr but not as many.

I have more aphids on all my milkweed plants this yr. YUCK
 
I had lots of them last yr. I did a lot of squishing and dumping in soapy water.
They are also called milkweed beetle. I have them this yr but not as many.

I have more aphids on all my milkweed plants this yr. YUCK
Do milkweed beetles eat aphids?
 
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