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Butterfly Garden

What's wrong with my milkweed? (pics)

16 years ago

I'm unsure of which perennial variety this one is (maybe syriaca?), but the tops are curled and mangled. I noticed what might be just a few aphids and did see an ant inside a curl (seen in one of the pictures. Any ideas of what the problem could be? None of my A. incarnata's have this problem. Thanks, in advance.

Tracey

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Comments (12)

jean001
16 years ago
Unroll the leaves and look inside. (I think I see an ant peeking out in 2nd photo. Would be collecting the honeydew.)
Konrad___far_north
16 years ago
This is a sign of aphid inside leafs and ants are farming them in return for some secretion they like.
Konrad
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tracey_nj6
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I'll unroll and blast them with the hose. I did unroll one, and there looked like 1 aphid, or egg, or something. I didn't notice any legs. I've had massive aphid infestations, and never had milkweeds look this distorted. Then again, the massive infestations were in the fall...
tracey_nj6
Original Author
16 years ago
Seems like there's a bit of action going on; looks like some aphids and some mysterious caterpillar. Any ideas who he is?!?!?

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clownboy
16 years ago
What kindof milkweed is that ? Just curious
tracey_nj6
Original Author
16 years ago
I've only grown 4 varieties, and I know it's not A. incarnata, A. curassavica or A. tuberosa. I had wintersown some A. syriaca in 2005 and I believe this is it, but of course, it's not tagged. Surprisingly, it hasn't bloomed yet, in 2005 or 2006...

As I stated in my post, I asked what kind of cat it might be. I'm not really sure if it's a cat or just a larvae of some sort.
cecropia
16 years ago
I believe that's A. syriaca.The twisted leaves might be caused by a viral disease,perhaps transmitted by the aphids.I would either cut off the top or dispose of the entire plant.
Msrpaul
16 years ago
It is A syriaca. I've got a couple that are doing that too....going out with scissors tomorrow!
todancewithwolves
16 years ago
I think the larvea is a flower fly larvae. A good guy who eats aphids.

Edna :-)
tracey_nj6
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Edna! I think I knocked off the little critter while I was looking for it. I couldn't find it below the plant, but with loads of weeds, it might have been hidden.
The leaves seem to be unfurling and new growth above it is fine, so I'm just going to leave well enough alone. Now I wish the ants would get off the plant. I've never seen so many ants on a milkweed!
todancewithwolves
16 years ago
Ants work with the aphids. The aphids produce a sweet substance that the ants love. Unfortunately oleander aphids love milkweed. We've all been attacked by the little buggers.

Get yourself some ladybugs and release them at dusk. Spray the plants with a little water because container ladybugs are real thirsty and water is the first thing they look for. They will eat the aphids.

Edna :-)
tracey_nj6
Original Author
16 years ago
I've found lots of ladybug larvae that I've been relocating to the plant. For some reason, they're attracted to my daughters inflatable pool, and I'm constantly finding the larvae on the top rim. My 6yo knows exactly what they are are where to put them ;)

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?what to do with this little guy?

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