Large Milkweed Bugs

Yep, that is what these critters are called, Large Mildweed Bugs, or if you prefer the Latin name, Oncopeltus fasciatus.  There are probably hundreds on the Purple Milkweed seed pods, and they insert a long tube into the seed pod to eat the milkweed seeds. 

There is one adult visible halfway down this pod, and the rest are nymphs of various ages and sizes.
What is amazing is the crowd of nymphs sitting under the leaf at the bottom of the photo. 

Maybe I should be cleaning them off to protect the seed pods, but I find them fascinating.  The orange is so bright, and they really don't harm anything else, so I will let them be.