206 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



THE SPOTTED MILKWEED E 

 Oiivopcltus fascial iih Dallas 

 ( Fig. 182) 



Description. — The mature bugs arc rather long and slender, orange 

 yellow or more often red with three Large black marks on the dorsum, 

 as shown in Pig. 182. The antennae, legs, eyes and portions of head, 

 thorax and abdomen are also black. The length varies from .1 to | 

 inch. The eggs are elongated and light red in color. They are laid 

 in loose masses. The young bugs are red with dark antenna-, eyes. 

 lees and wing pads. 



Pig. 182. — Th( 



spotted milkweed bug, Oncopeltua fctsciatus Dall. 

 i < (rigiijal) 



Slightly enlarged.. 



Life History. — The adults hibernate under leaves, or in any shel- 

 tered place and often emerge and congregate in large numbers in 

 sunny places during the winter. Tiny have thus come to the atten- 

 tion of many fruit growers who have been not a little alarmed at the 

 large colonics on the trunks of fruit trees and around the barns and 

 houses. In the spring the females lay their eggs upon the young 

 milkweeds and the newly hatched bugs feed only upon this plant. 

 There are several generations . a year. 



Distribution. — This bug is very common throughout the entire 



State and country. 



l21 Another common milkweed bug (Lygwus r<<-lirt<tn.s Say) is easily distinguished 

 from the above l>y its smaller size and by the white spots en the membrane of the 

 wnms. The black markings <>n the dorsum are net arranged in three definite spots 



as in III.' above species. 



