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Popular Insects
Red milkweed beetle

Red milkweed beetle

Tetraopes tetrophthalmus

A species of Milkweed longhorns

The red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) makes a shrill squeaking sound when threatened, especially if picked up by a human. It lays its eggs on milkweed plants, and its larvae tunnel into the plant's stem or burrow in the soil below. The red and black colors of adults stand out next to the milkweed, warning predators that these bugs are not tasty.

General Info About Red milkweed beetle
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Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
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Attributes of Red milkweed beetle
Habitat
grassland; meadow; prairie
Adult Food Sources
Milkweed leaves, milkweed flowers, nectar, pollen, milkweed seed pods
Larva Food Source
Roots and stems of the milkweed plant (asclepias spp.)
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
The Red milkweed beetle can induce toxic reactions varying in severity. Nevertheless, these toxins primarily target their prey and predators and are usually not fatal to humans.
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Red milkweed beetle feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
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Species Status of Red milkweed beetle
It is found in the United States.
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Distribution Area of Red milkweed beetle
Central and Eastern North America
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Appearance of Red milkweed beetle
As in many longhorn beetles, the antennae are situated very near the eye–in the red milkweed beetle, this adaptation has been carried to an extreme: the antennal base actually bisects the eye. The red and black coloring are aposematic.
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How to Identify Red milkweed beetle?

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Life Cycle of Red milkweed beetle
Egg The egg of red milkweed beetle is oval and miniature, usually hidden in plant tissue. It lacks mobility and sensory organs, focusing solely on the protection and nourishment of the developing larva inside.
Larva The larva of red milkweed beetle is worm-like, with a soft body and chewing mouthparts for feeding. It grows significantly, molting several times as it consumes plant material vigorously.
Pupal Inside the pupa, red milkweed beetle undergoes drastic changes. It's immobile, with its tissues and organs reorganizing. The color is generally muted, and the shape is often oval or cylindrical.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult red milkweed beetle’s development is characterized by hardened exoskeleton and wings. Its colors and patterns are species-specific for attraction and camouflage, and it actively seeks to reproduce.
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Adult Size of Red milkweed beetle
9 - 14 mm
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Predators of Red milkweed beetle Larvae
Birds, rodents, insectivorous mammals, parasitic wasps, other insect predators
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Scientific Classification of Red milkweed beetle
Tips for Finding Red milkweed beetle
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Youth Habitat of Red milkweed beetle
Grasslands and Prairies
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Adult Habitat of Red milkweed beetle
Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
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How Can You Attract Red milkweed beetle
Decaying wood and flowering plants can serve as attractants for adult red milkweed beetle as they provide food and mating opportunities.
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Habitat Preferences of Red milkweed beetle Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of red milkweed beetle are typically found within the stems and roots of milkweed plants, as they prefer the nourishing sap and protected environment for development. Once they reach the pupal stage, they often remain within the plant tissue, transforming into their adult form. Adult red milkweed beetle, on the other hand, are commonly found on or near milkweed plants, feeding on foliage and looking for mates. To search for these stages, one would need to carefully inspect milkweed plants, delicately examining inside the stems and roots for larvae, observing the plant's surface for pupae, and scanning the leaves and flowers for the presence of adult beetles.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Red milkweed beetle
The ideal time to find red milkweed beetle varies between its life stages but generally coincides with warmer months, often from late spring to early fall, when they are most active.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Red milkweed beetle
Mild, warm weather with little to no rain is most suitable for locating red milkweed beetle, as these conditions are favorable for their activity and easier for humans to navigate their habitats.
Are Red milkweed beetle harmful?
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Harmful Effects of Red milkweed beetle
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Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.
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Hurt Plant

Larvae of red milkweed beetle bore into stems, causing wilting and stem breakage, while adults chew on leaves, leading to defoliation. The impact ranges from mild to severe depending on infestation levels, affecting the plant's vitality and reproductive capacity.

More Effects of Red milkweed beetle

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