Milkweed-bug
Guides
Lygaeus
seed bugs, milkweed bugs
Lygaeus is a genus of seed bugs in the family Lygaeidae, containing over 60 described species. Members are characterized by aposematic coloration—typically combinations of red, black, gray, and white—that advertises chemical defenses. Several species, notably L. kalmii (small milkweed bug), sequester cardiac glycosides from host plants, rendering them unpalatable to predators. The genus exhibits diverse feeding strategies ranging from seed-feeding specialization to opportunistic scavenging.
Oncopeltus cayensis
Keys Milkweed Bug
Oncopeltus cayensis is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae, commonly known as the Keys Milkweed Bug. It is native to the Caribbean region and parts of North America, with confirmed records from the Bahamas and the United States. As a member of the genus Oncopeltus, it is closely related to the well-studied Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to its more widespread congener.
Oncopeltus sexmaculatus
six-spotted milkweed bug
Oncopeltus sexmaculatus, commonly known as the six-spotted milkweed bug, is a seed bug in the family Lygaeidae. The species is distributed across islands in the Caribbean Sea, Central America, and North America. Like other members of the genus Oncopeltus, it is associated with milkweed plants. The specific epithet 'sexmaculatus' refers to six spots, likely describing a distinctive color pattern on the body.
Sephina gundlachii
giant milkweed bug
Sephina gundlachii, commonly known as the giant milkweed bug, is a leaf-footed bug in the family Coreidae. It is native to the Caribbean and has been documented in North America, particularly Florida. The species is associated with milkweed plants (Asclepias), though specific ecological details remain limited in published literature.