# Red milkweed beetle

*Tetraopes tetrophthalmus*

A red longhorn beetle whose antennae grow straight through its eyes, splitting each one in two.

## What it does on milkweed

Adults feed on milkweed leaves, buds and flowers through midsummer. Females lay eggs in stems near the base, and the larvae drop to the soil and tunnel into the roots, where they overwinter. Adults stridulate audibly when handled. Both Tetraopes and Latin tetrophthalmus mean four-eyed, a double reference to the fact that the base of each antenna passes straight through the eye and divides it.

## How to recognize it

Around 8 to 15 mm, bright brick red with four black spots on the wing covers and long black antennae. Look closely at the head: each antenna emerges from the middle of an eye.

## Where and when

Eastern and central North America, closely following common milkweed.

## Should you do anything about it?

No action needed. Root damage is real but rarely enough to matter to an established stand.

### Why is it called the four-eyed beetle?

The base of each antenna runs directly through the compound eye, dividing it into an upper and a lower half. Both halves of the scientific name refer to it.

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Source: https://milkweedusa.com/wildlife/red-milkweed-beetle/ — Milkweed USA, CC BY 4.0.