Q: I noticed yesterday that some of the milkweed seed pods are covered with bugs (immature box elder?). Is that something to worry about or just let them be?
Don’t worry about them. These are probably immature milkweed bugs Oncopeltus fasciatus. There are two species, large and small milkweed bugs. These are probably nymphs and will become more colorful as they transition to adults. They do feed on seeds, but as I see it, they are a part of the food chain and important to the natural way of things.
Thanks for sharing your backyard natural history!
Meredith Tucker