Poultry Bug vs Milkweed Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Poultry Bug | Milkweed Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haematosiphon inodorus | Oncopeltus fasciatus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Cimicidae | Lygaeidae |
| Size | 4-5 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Parasites | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | North America | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Poultry Bug
A cimicid ectoparasite of poultry native to North America that is closely related to bed bugs. Heavy infestations can cause anemia and reduced egg production in chickens.
Did You Know?
Its natural hosts are cliff-nesting raptors, but it has adapted to parasitize domestic poultry.
Milkweed Bug
A medium-sized bug with bold orange-red and black warning coloration. It feeds on milkweed seeds and sequesters toxic cardiac glycosides for its own defense.
Did You Know?
This bug has become a widely used laboratory model organism because it is easy to rear, has no diapause requirement, and displays clear warning coloration.