Growing up on antelope-horns

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And in contrast to the earlier stage shown in the last post, here’s what a large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus, looks like when it’s all grown up. Would you have predicted this from the previous picture? I wouldn’t have.

© 2012 Steven Schwartzman

Another podcast*

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Once the flowers of Asclepias asperula, or antelope-horns milkweed, get pollinated, the plant goes to work producing seed pods with a surface that some sources describe as warty. Judge for yourselves whether you think that’s a good word—if you can take your eyes off the brightly colored little creatures that often hang out on these pods or other parts of the plant. The insects shown here appear to be nymphs of Oncopeltus fasciatus, known as the large milkweed bug.

© 2012 Steven Schwartzman

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* I first used the word podcast last summer in connection with a different local milkweed species, Asclepias viridiflora.