''Lygaeus kalmii'', known as the small milkweed bug or common milkweed bug, is a species of seed bug in the family

Lygaeidae The Lygaeidae are a family in the Hemiptera (true bugs), with more than 110 genera in four subfamilies. The family is commonly referred to as seed bugs, and less commonly, milkweed bugs, or ground bugs. However, while many of the species feed on ...

. It is found in Central and North America.

Taxonomy

''Lygaeus kalmii'' was first formally named in 1874 by Swedish entomologist

Carl Stål Carl Stål (21 March 1833 – 13 June 1878) was a Swedish entomologist specialising in Hemiptera. He was born at Karlberg Castle, Stockholm on 21 March 1833 and died at Frösundavik near Stockholm on 13 June 1878. He was the son of architect, ...

in his ''Enumeratio Hemipterorum''. There are two recognized subspecies: * ''Lygaeus kalmii angustomarginatus'' – eastern small milkweed bug * ''Lygaeus kalmii kalmii'' – western small milkweed bug

Description

Young nymphs of ''Lygaeus kalmii'' are initially fully red, developing black diagonal markings on the pronotum. Adults are orange to red and gray/black, reaching in length. The head is black with a red spot in the center. The forewings are patterned with a black heart inside of an orange-red X which does not meet in the middle. The membranous portion of the forewings in the eastern subspecies ''Lygaeus kalmii angustomarginatus'' has a narrow white margin, while that of the western ''L. k. kalmii'' has white spots and a broader margin. The small milkweed bug is commonly confused with other black and red or orange insects, including ''

Oncopeltus fasciatus ''Oncopeltus fasciatus'', known as the large milkweed bug, is a medium-sized hemipteran (true bug) of the family Lygaeidae.Attisano, A. (2013) Oosorption and migratory strategy of the milkweed bug,''Oncopeltus fasciatus. Animal Behaviour 86(3):65 ...

'', '' Lygaeus turcicus'', and '' Lygaeus reclivatus''.

Distribution and reproduction

''Lygaeus kalmii angustomarginatus'' is found in north temperate regions of North America and is not a migratory insect. Only adults overwinter and they do not begin reproduction until the following April. Females are receptive to males in all seasons. The eggs are laid on milkweed (''

Asclepias ''Asclepias'' is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. Most species are toxic to humans ...

'' spp.) in the spring.

Diet

Small milkweed bugs' primary sources of nutrients are flower nectar and milkweed seeds. If these food sources are limited, they may feed on other insects.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10571418 Lygaeidae Insects of North America Articles created by Qbugbot Insects described in 1874