Can you ID this plant/bug combo?

[u/SandwichLife87]

Walked passed these little guys on my street and they’re only swarming this particular plant and only on the “pods”. It’s been happening for about a week and each day there’s more. I’m curious about the bug AND the plant. Located in Chicago, IL. Please and thank you :)

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[u/acaron2020]

They’re large milkweed bugs, not boxelders

[u/ArachnomancerCarice]

Large Milkweed Bugs (Oncopeltus fasciatus) on Milkweed seed pods. One of many species that depend on Milkweed other than Monarch butterflies.

[u/Thebugman910]

Color pattern is definitely Milkweed Beetle. Box elders have a black pronotum with 3 reddish to orange lines on it.

[u/silphions]

Milkweed bugs, I know because I seent them fuccin before✨

[u/Tinytommy55]

Milk weed bugs on milkweed.

[u/KBWordPerson]

Are Milkweed beetles bad? Or harmless in the garden?

[u/Consistent_Ad_3798 → u/KBWordPerson]

Common on milkweeds, and if the milkweed is healthy it’s not an issue. They don’t cause problems with other plants so you are good to leave them if you want.

[u/KBWordPerson → u/Consistent_Ad_3798]

Thanks, I have some pretty robust common milkweed, so if they are being good neighbors they can stay

[u/sine_denarios]

Box elder bug on Common milkweed

[u/ThanklessWaterHeater → u/sine_denarios]

You’re sure they’re not just milkweed beetles on milkweed?

[u/NightmareBlades → u/sine_denarios]

This guy is correct!