can any one identify these bugs (on milkweed)

[DanK]

Went for a walk in a reserve today and found that some of the milkweed pods were covered with little orange bugs I didn't recognize. In some places, they were so dense that they were piled on each other. Here is one shot, not so populated:



Here's a closer view of another one:



They were small, maybe 3-4 mm. Took these with just a macro lens, no tubes, so they are cropped images and therefore not quite as sharp as I would like.

Anyone know what these are?

thanks

[flashback]

Dan,
These are, unsurprisingly, the Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), very common and are True Bugs (Hemiptera). They have 5 nymphal stages (instars) and these appear to be about mid-development.

[DanK]

Thanks very much

[GBO25]

Nice shooting as well Dan. They're sooo bright.