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Milkweed bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis, for which, they are also known as hemimetabolous insects. The immature nymphs, therefore, closely resemble the adult milkweed bugs, except the color pattern of their body. In addition to this, the nymphs do not contain fully developed wings, unlike their adult counterparts. The life cycle of milkweed bugs begins with laying of eggs. The female usually lays about 20 bright red colored eggs in a day, which she places in areas like, ball of the milkweed seed fluff, for protection. The eggs then hatch in about a week and the immature nymphs emerge from the eggs. The nymphs start to grow and in the course of time, they molt five times, till they reach adulthood. Molting can be defined as the periodic shedding of the cuticle or exoskeleton for growing.

The hard exoskeleton or cuticle that protects the tiny nymphs, prevents them from growing. Therefore, they shed the original exoskeleton and in its place, a new moist and more flexible one develops. This allows the nymph to grow. But, eventually the new exoskeleton also hardens, which lead to further shedding and molting, as the nymphs continue to grow. In this way, molting takes place five times, till the immature nymphs become mature and adults. Accordingly, the entire developmental process can be divided into five nymphal stages, which are also known as instars. The first instars refers to the emergence of the milkweed bug from the egg, the second instar corresponds to the first molting. Ultimately, the nymphs reach the adulthood in the fifth molt.

So, milkweed bugs go through a simple metamorphosis to reach adulthood. After reaching adulthood, the bugs mate within a week or so. One of the most interesting milkweed bug information is, that they have the ability to concentrate the toxic compounds found in the sap of the milkweed plant in their body. This gives them a repelling taste, which, however, protects them from the potential predators. The bright color of their body is often used to warn their predators, about this toxicity or bad taste.

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