Red Milkweed Beetle

Hi, I’m a red milkweed beetle.

I’m often found in North America, living on my favorite plant—the milkweed. My bright red body with black spots isn’t just for show; it’s a warning! I absorb toxins from the milkweed that make me taste bad to predators like birds and frogs, so they tend to leave me alone.

I love feeding on the leaves, stems, and flowers of the milkweed plant, and my larvae feed on its roots. This doesn’t harm the plant too much, and in return, the milkweed provides me with food and protection. My biggest role in the ecosystem is helping support biodiversity, as milkweed is crucial for many insects, including monarch butterflies.

I’m pretty tough, but pesticides can harm me and the entire ecosystem around me. The best thing humans can do for me is to let milkweed grow naturally. The worst thing? Destroying milkweed or using chemicals that wipe out this important plant and all the life that depends on it.

So, let’s keep milkweed safe, and I’ll keep doing my part to support the natural balance. Thank you!