by johnah on November 21, 2020
What Are Milkweed Bugs?
Milkweeds are plants belonging to the family Asteraceae. They belong to the genus Solanum, which includes such species as dill, parsley, chives and cilantro. These plants have been used medicinally for centuries and they are commonly found growing wild throughout North America. However, they have become invasive weeds in many areas due to their ability to grow rapidly and reproduce prolifically.
The most common species of milkweed in North America is the common milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa). Common milkweeds are often referred to as “dandelions” because they resemble dandelion flowers but with white or yellow flowers instead of red. Other species include goldenrod, ragwort and even cowpea. All of these species produce edible seeds, but only the common milkweed produces viable seeds.
The seeds are called “milkweeds.”
In addition to being eaten for food, milkweed is also used as a folk medicine. It is thought that it may have medicinal properties similar to those of cannabis and its derivatives. It is also used to make soap, perfume and even a special kind of cloth.
The milkweed bug or Oncopeltus fasciatus is an insect that only eats milkweed plants. They are not harmful to humans and are actually edible. They are sometimes eaten by Native Americans in the wild. The most common way to prepare them is to boil them in water and then season with butter, salt and black pepper.
The taste has been described as being similar to unsalted shrimp. They are now considered a delicacy in some parts of the world and can be bought in Asian markets.
Are Milkweed Bugs Harmful?
Harmful Effects: None. Milkweed bugs are edible and can be prepared and eaten in many different ways. They can be boiled, roasted under an open flame or even fried. Some people like to eat them with beer.
Are Milkweed Bugs Dangerous?
Dangerous Effects: None. Although they may look intimidating, milkweed bugs are completely harmless. They cannot even bite and will only get up and run away if disturbed. They can be captured by hand without fear of any harmful effects.
Common Questions
Are milkweed bugs good to eat?
Yes, but only if you can get over the fact that they look a little weird. Also, be aware that they are not the only insects that eat milkweed; if you pick them from the wild there is always the risk of accidentally picking up some other kind of insect.
Are milkweed bugs poisonous?
No. They are completely harmless and are even considered a delicacy in some parts of the world.
What do milkweed bugs eat?
They eat the milkweed plant and will sometimes also feed on other kinds of plants. They will not eat or go near anything that has been treated with pesticides.
Sources & references used in this article:
RNAi analysis of Deformed, proboscipedia and Sex combs reduced in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus: novel roles for Hox genes in the hemipteran head by CL Hughes, TC Kaufman – Development, 2000 – dev.biologists.org
Assay of tall fescue seed extracts, fractions, and alkaloids using the large milkweed bug by SG Yates, JC Fenster, RJ Bartelt – Journal of agricultural and food …, 1989 – ACS Publications
The relation between age and flight activity in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus by H DINGLE – Journal of Experimental Biology, 1965 – researchgate.net
The landing response and visual processing in the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus by JC COGGSHALL – Journal of Experimental Biology, 1972 – jeb.biologists.org
A Comparison of the Migratory Strategies of Two Milkweed Bugs, Oncopeltus Fasciatus and Lygaeus Kalmii by RL Caldwell – Experimental analysis of insect behaviour, 1974 – Springer
Migration and diapause in tropical, temperate, and island milkweed bugs by H Dingle – Evolution of insect migration and diapause, 1978 – Springer
The metabolism of DDT in the large milkweed bug by WC Ferguson, CW Kearns – Journal of economic entomology, 1949 – academic.oup.com
Effects of precocene I and II on flight behaviour in Oncopeltus fasciatus, the migratory milkweed bug by MA Rankin – Journal of Insect Physiology, 1980 – Elsevier
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