Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Wildlife => Topic started by: Steve Hood on December 14, 2013, 08:02:03 PM

Title: What bug is this?
Post by: Steve Hood on December 14, 2013, 08:02:03 PM

This was taken in September but I wasn't sure what it was.

(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/11375653244_5f2702c493_b.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42682747@N08/11375653244/)

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: BetCrooks on December 15, 2013, 09:38:31 AM

I'm certainly not an expert, but it looks a bit like a Swamp Milkweed Leaf beetle?
http://bugguide.net/node/view/837344/bgimage (http://bugguide.net/node/view/837344/bgimage)
You may want to post to BugGuide.Net's ID Request for confirmation.

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: gary yankech on December 15, 2013, 02:41:29 PM

this is a swamp milkweed leaf beetle......can get confused with a ladybug.

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: Steve Hood on December 15, 2013, 04:10:46 PM

Thanks.  That was it.

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: Leslie on December 18, 2013, 05:21:28 PM

Do these beetles happen to eat the leaves of swamp milkweed, or is that too obvious?

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: BetCrooks on December 18, 2013, 05:31:24 PM

According to BugGuide.net:
Food
Foliage, flowers, of milkweed, especially Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), but also found on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Also on swallow-wort (Cynanchum) and twinevine (Funastrum = Sarcostem

Title: Re: What bug is this?
Post by: Leslie on December 20, 2013, 09:12:53 PM

They can eat both native and non-native milkweeds?  Wonder if they'd like to teach the monarchs that trick...