Adult large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) photographed during the “Night Bugs” workshop at the University of Illinois Pollinatarium on July 21, 2012. Click/double click image to enlarge.
I wouldn’t normally post an image of an individual of the same species I mentioned a week earlier, but I do like the relatively clear differences between the forewings and the hindwings shown in this individual.
The forewings are modified into hemelytra, in which the basal portion (orange, black, orange striping) is thickened and leathery, while the distal portion (uniform black) is membranous.
The hind wings (base of left hindwing shown in the individual above) are fully membranous, lack pigmentation and held beneath the hemelytra when at rest.
More regarding the biology of this species can be found in “Large milkweed bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) populations increasing” and “Differentiating between small milkweed bugs (Lygaeus kalmii) and large milkweed bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus).”
Loved the picture of the large milkweed bug! Nice lighting and sharpness! Keep up yuor good work!
Thanks! I think I’m about ready to see how the Sonoran Desert insects look at night. Images will be showing up in a few days…