Milkweed Tussock Moth

9 years ago

I've got a few Tropical Milkweed covered in this moth's caterpillars? I realize they are native but does anybody do anything about it? Or should I just let them be?

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Comments (4)

KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
9 years ago
You could put the caterpillars on some native milkweed and pull up the tropical.
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Slatewiper
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm more concerned with the notion they might destroy my milkweed right when the Monarchs need it most. I had roughly 10 adult Monarchs in my garden today many of which were laying eggs.
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I don't kill them. I just let them have their share. I don't bring them in, mind you, and I think a lot of them are "wasp food". They don't eat that much so as to decimate your plants. Kenna likes them, too. She calls them her "fur balls". They are pretty cats, and so-so moths. It's just up to you. I leave em alone and let them have some milkweed, too. If you have any cynanchum laeve (milkweed vine), you could move them to that as well. They will eat eggs and tiny Monarch larvae by accident. Susan
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Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars
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Wow, fantastic photos. I've often wondered what these little guys look like; now I have an excellent reference. I agree, Sherry, they do look like the pull toys for dogs! :-) I've read these little cats can decimate wild milkweed. I often wonder if they are another reason the little wild 'Red Ring' milkweed is having such a time surviving in the wild. Mary
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Comments (2)
That's so funny, they do look like Pekingese. I don't know that I've ever seen the moth, but according to the Internet, they are just plain silver winged, but their body is orange with black spots.
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In addition to donating his beautiful garden plants to the Karen Cronin Memorial Garden, Bob is donating copies of some of his best pictures of plants and butterflies to the Meadowbrook Library who conceived of the memorial garden and have funded a beautiful bench, a memorial plaque, and permanent plant labels for the garden. These pictures will help us further the enjoyment, therapeutic and educational goals of the memorial garden. The entire community, the library directors and I are so thankful to Bob for his generous contributions to make Karen's Memorial Garden such a special place! mike
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docmom_gw
9 years ago
10 Monarchs all at once? That's incredible. I'd watch to see how many Tussock cats you have. I generally leave everything to nature, except to bring Monarch cats in to raise. But, those Tussock moths can be destructive. It depends on the numbers of eggs that get laid.

Martha
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Slatewiper
Original Author
9 years ago
I didn't see my first Monarch till about a month ago. Then last week I noticed a large number of very big cats in one of my milkweed patches. Now I have adults coming out of my ears.

As far as the Tussock Moths are concerned I'd say I have about 30 cats all on one plant. They seem to stay together on the same leaf till it's gone then move en mass to the next leaf.
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Milkweed Tussock Moth

Comments (4)

KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH

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Milkweed Tussock Moth

Comments (4)

KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH

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