Insect · GBIF taxon 2007859
Small Milkweed Bug
Lygaeus kalmiiAlso known as Common Milkweed Bug, Kalm's Milkweed Bug
Small milkweed bugs sport a vibrant red and black pattern featuring a characteristic black X across their closed wings. Adults feed primarily on milkweed seeds, nectar, and dead insects, sequestering toxic cardiac glycosides that render them unpalatable to birds. During late autumn, adults seek shelter under leaf litter or plant debris to overwinter before emerging to breed in spring.
InsectsAposematicSeed Bug
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Milkweed Seeds
- Floral Nectar
- Dead Insects
Predators
- Praying Mantises
- Spiders
- Assassin Bugs
ThreatsHabitat destruction, pesticide spraying, destruction of native milkweeds
HabitatsMeadows, prairies, pastures, roadsides, milkweed patches
Life span4–8 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyLygaeidae
- SpeciesLygaeus kalmii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look closely at mature milkweed seed pods in late summer where feeding groups gather.
- Identification: Distinguish from large milkweed bugs by the distinct black X pattern across closed wings.
- Handling: Gently turn milkweed leaves to inspect bugs without disturbing their activity.
Host Plant (c) Randy Nonenmacher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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