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Dec 9, 2023 · There are two types of milkweed bugs: Large Milkweed Bug (LMB for short) and Small Milkweed Bug (SMB for short). Both feed on the seeds of the Milkweed plants. They are true bugs (Hemiptera order) and seed bugs (Lygaeidae family). Here’s how to tell them apart.
To identify Milkweed quickly and confidently, use the "patterns method" outlined in Botany In a Day by Thomas Elpel. Look for milky sap, opposite leaves, distinct flower and fruit structures. Verify species-specific traits for precise identification. Utilize available resources for further assistance.
- Swamp Milkweed
- Oval-Leaved Milkweed
- White Swamp Milkweed
- Purple Mikweed
- Common Milkweed
- Butterfly Milkweed
- Wheel Milkweed
- Redring Milkweed
- Green Comet Milkweed
- Green Antelopehorn
Swamp milkweed also referred to as rose milkflower or white Indian hempgrows approximately 40 to 60 inches tall. Its stems are branched and the clump forming plants emerge in late spring after most other plants have begun growth for the year. This plant bloom in early to mid-summer, producing small, fragrant, and pink to sometimes white colored flo...
Asclepias ovalifolia also referred to as oval-leaved milkweedgrows to 8-20 inch tall. Its central stem is light green to brown and has opposite leaves that are oblong or elliptic shaped occurring at intervals along the un-branched central stem. The upper surfaces of the blades are green and hairless, while their lower surfaces of the blades are pal...
Asclepias Perennis also referred to as White swamp milkweedgrows to between 1 and 2 feet tall consisting of a cluster of un-branched flowering stems that are light green to purplish in color. Pairs of leaves occur on the stems at fairly frequent intervals along the stems. The upper leaf surface is medium to dark green whereas the lower leaf surface...
Asclepias Purpurascens also referred to as purple milkweed,gets its name from flowers that first develop a pink color but then turn darker purple as they mature. Purple milkweed looks similar to common milkweed but the flower color is rich red-purple color compared to the soft gray-pink of common milkweed. Its seed pods are smooth and a little more...
Asclepias syriaca commonly referred to as common milkweed, butterfly flower, silkweed or Virginia silkweedcan grow up to 10 feet tall usually occurring in clusters of stout stems. It has rhizomes and quickly forms colonies. Within its range it can be found in a broad array of habitats from croplands, to pastures, roadsides, ditches and old fields. ...
Butterfly milkweed also referred to as Asclepias tuberosagrows between 2 and 3 feet tall, with clustered orange or yellow flowers from early summer to early autumn. The stems are light green to dull reddish purple and less covered with spreading hairs. The root system of this plant consists of a woody taproot that is thick and knobby. The taproot c...
Asclepias uncialis also referred to as Wheel milkweedgrows between 2 and 6 feet tall. The stems are light green to dull green and less covered with spreading hairs. The lower leaves are lance-shaped to oval whereas the upper leaves are narrower. The flowers occur at the ends of the stems in clusters of up to 12. They are pinkish purple in color. Th...
Asclepias variagata commonly referred to as Redring milkweedgrows between 3 to 6 feet tall. This perennial plant thrives in dry to moist, loamy to rocky open woodlands and edges of woodlands as well as sunny glades. Stems, petioles and main leaf veins are reddish in spring but become greener during the growing season. Leaves have a broadly rounded ...
Asclepias viridiflora commonly referred to as Green-flower milk weed or comet milkweedgrows up to 5 feet tall. The stems of this plant are mostly solitary or in pairs and bears opposite leaves up to four inches long. The stem is also light green to reddish purple color with a covered in white hairs. It produces purplish-pink to greenish-white flowe...
Asclepias viridis also referred to as Green Antelopehorn or spider milkweedgrows 30 to 40 inches tall. Its stem is usually upright clad with mostly alternate, short-stalked, pointed, ovate-lanceote, pale green leaves. Tiny green flowers with purple hoods bloom in many-flowered axillary and terminal umbels from May to June. Each tiny flower has 5 up...
- Milkweed beetles. Several different species of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) will feed on milkweeds, with the most common species being the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus).
- Milkweed bugs. There are two species of true bugs (Hemiptera) that can commonly be found on milkweed, the large and small milkweed bugs. Adult large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) are ¾” long, orange to reddish-orange, with a black band across their back.
- Milkweed Tussock Moth. Monarchs aren’t the only caterpillars you may find on milkweed. Milkweed tussock moth (Euchaetes egle) will also feed on milkweeds.
- Oleander aphids. Oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) are probably the most commonly asked about insects found on milkweed (other than monarchs). These aphids are bright yellow with black legs and cornicles.
Jun 21, 2023 · Find out what milkweed bugs and milkweed assassin bugs look like and if you should remove these bugs from your plants when you spot them. What Does a Large Milkweed Bug Look Like? “What are these red bugs, and can they harm my butterfly weed plants?” asks Birds & Blooms Reader Nancy Dietrich.
- Emily Hannemann
Milkweed Bugs. Monarch butterflies are not the only creatures that are drawn to milkweed. One bug that we see all the time on our milkweed is the creatively named Milkweed Bug. As you have probably already guessed, the Milkweed Bug gets its name because it enjoys dining on milkweed.
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Large milkweed bug with mouthparts inserted into common milkweed seed pod. There are two true bugs (family Lygaeidae, order Hemiptera) that are associated with milkweed mostly in late summer and fall, the large milkweed bug and the small milkweed bug.
