Tuesday, July 15, 2014

July 14, 2014: Red Milkweed Beetle



Red Milkweed Beetles, a member of the Long-horned Beetle Family (Cerambycidae), are highly dependent on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), although they can be found on other milkweed species.  In early Summer, the female lays eggs at the base of a milkweed stem, sometimes inserting them into the stem.  By either tunneling down beneath the outer layer of the stem or by burrowing through the soil the newly hatched larvae find the milkweed roots.  They will dwell in the soil, feeding on the root, through early Fall.  They will overwinter in the root and may resume feeding briefly in Spring before pupating. 6/24/14 (Wolf. Oesterreich)

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