Large Milkweed Bug

The large milkweed bug is a hemimetabolous insect, meaning it grows in stages called instars and goes through incomplete metamorphosis, exhibiting small changes throughout development such as coloration changes, development of wings and genitalia. O. fasciatus begins as an egg and experiences four nymphal stages over 28–30 days before moulting to adulthood. Females become sexually receptive within a few days of adulthood. Geographic location has a large effect on egg production rate and clutch size, although the intrinsic increase in reproduction depends on the climate to which the individual is acclimated. For example, two close populations (60 km apart) residing on a sharp incline have differing optimal reproduction temperatures, where the cooler (higher) adapted population is at 23 °C and the warmer (lower) population is adapted to 27 °C. The highest clutch size occurs in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas populations at 30–50 eggs per clutch. The lowest clutch size was found in California at 25–30 eggs per clutch. Northern populations in Iowa and Maryland exhibited a clutch size in between the two extremes, from 25 to 35 eggs per clutch.

In favourable conditions (the tropics) reproduction occurs continuously all year round, while in less-favourable conditions (temperate zones) reproduction occurs during the warmer months. …