This bug is widespread throughout most of North America except on the north pacific coast. It is probably common in this area. It was first photographed in August of 2010 on the Baptesia pods present in the planted prairie at Neale Woods. The mating pair (B) was photographed in late September on the prairie at Neale Woods. Photo C was taken in September 2016 in the pollinator garden at the Fontenelle Forest wetlands center. These bugs can generally be found in open fields and woodland edges in late summer and early fall.

These bugs are sometimes called Ant Bugs owing to their resemblance to ants (see photo D). They take juices from plants using their well developed proboscis. There are six species in the genus Alydus in North America.