With patience, we have the final answer about the milkweed bugs.

milkweed bugs adults molt

Checking the plant, there are some newly-molted adults.

milkweed bug molted

The new adults are lack the dark pigmentation. This one is adjusting its wings with its back feet.

newly-emerged-milkweed-bug-best

As they darken more, it becomes clear that they are indeed small milkweed bugs, Lygaeus kalmii.

milkweed-bug-adult

Having spent so much time watching them, they seem like old friends.

Now I will be on the look out for eggs!

Have you ever observed insects in nature over a period of weeks? What kind of insect was it?