I grew up near Quincy, Massachusetts, and now live in Quincy, California. The bug pictured here today is common around both Quincy's. In fact, this one was photographed at the side of Lee Road by the fairgrounds in Quincy, CA. It's called the Small Milkweed Bug,
Lygaeus kalmii. Harvard University maintains a website dedicated to the Boston Harbor Islands where this same bug is found. In fact, it was once "Bug of the Month" on that site. They are in a family called seed bugs, as they live mostly off seeds. Their mouth parts are able to drill into the seeds and dine on the softer insides. You might find some of these exploring the young milkweed plants, but there won't be any seeds to dine on for at least another month. Click on the photo for a closer view. It's a quite beautiful bug.
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