Insect

Milkweed bug

Spilostethus pandurus

Red and black milkweed bug with a white spot

Scientific name: Spilostethus pandurus
Family: Lygaeidae, order Hemiptera
Group: Insect

A red-and-black bug that lives on aak.

Spot it Red with black bands and a small white spot on each wing.
Home On aak (Calotropis) and other milkweeds.
Food web Sucks juice from milkweed seeds.
Why it matters It stores the plant's bitter juice, so birds learn to avoid it.

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