Small Milkweed Bug

While photographing some Orange Milkweed (Butterflyweed) flowers I found several Small Milkweed Bugs (Lygaeus kalmii) hidden within the clusters of small flowers. Small Milkweed Bug is the common name for this insect and not just a description of the insect.



The Orange Milkweed flowers are perfect camouflage for this orange and black insect.



Milkweed bugs have few predators because they concentrate in their bodies bad tasting compounds found in the sap of milkweed plants. The bugs use their bright colors to advertise their bad taste.