Large Milkweed Bug

Found primarily on milkweed plants in fields, meadows, and gardens across North America

Seed-eaters that specialize on milkweed pods; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to inject enzymes and drink the dissolved nutrients

They are gregarious, often found in clusters on seed pods; they are also known for their long-distance migrations and warning coloration to signal toxicity

Generally harmless to humans and non-toxic to the plants themselves; they help control the spread of milkweed but compete with monarch butterflies for resources