Monarch caterpillar eating potato vine...
Casara
8 years ago
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KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
8 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
8 years agoRelated Discussions
I have monarch caterpillars on climbing hempweed.
Comments (3)Well, I am certainly no expert on the matter, but I did do some research for you. I found that the hempweed is sometimes called "Monarch vine" because the Monarchs love to nectar on it. I believe that the milkweeds are the only actual host plants though. I'm sure that someone else will come along who knows more. You can use the water hose to wash those aphids off the vine if you want....See MoreHeartbroken and need advice on Monarch parasite control
Comments (13)I'm betting that you will be finding Monarchs consistently soon. We have been aware of OE on our Monarchs for some time now in Florida, but we still have plenty of healthy ones emerge and do well. I'm sure you know that you will be finding lots of little milkweed plants once the ones you have start to throw out seeds. It's always painful to see the caterpillars we have worked so hard to grow die by various means. For me, the worst is seeing them eaten by wasps. I think we have to be ready to accept the fact that many eggs will disappear and many caterpillars will be eaten or come out deformed. I think all the advice given above is excellent. We do what we can. The only cats I try to raise are those of the Eastern Black Swallowtail. I can see the eggs and cats easily on the fennel and notice when they disappear. Just last week I was watching six of them grow pretty large and then one day later they were all gone. Birds and wasps find them and then just keep coming back. I now have six in a cage that are doing well--somewhat surprising since I've not been very good at helping them in years past. We'll see... Keep us posted, Rhonda. Good luck with your new job. They will be getting a tigress....See MoreWhat’s eating my sweet potato vine and fancy begonia?
Comments (5)There is nothing for you to do. The plants are healthy and vigorous. The tears aren’t hurting them. If you are getting actual holes where parts of the leaf are missing look carefully in amongst the foliage and around the soil and pot. Any snails? Slugs? Insects? Caterpillars? If do pick them off and squash....See MoreWhat is eating my sweet potato vine?
Comments (3)Are you finding fresh damage? It may be that there were pests, but something took care of them. Also try scratching in the soil around the base of the plants. Some cutworms curl up & hide there during the day, and do their feeding in the nighttime/early morning hours.They start out quite tiny too, and blend in very well, so it can be difficult to spot them. IMPE, chewing insects leave jagged edges from feeding, while caterpillars leave smooth edges. Also check for snails/slugs. They can start out quite tiny too and feed @ night/early morning. You can use iron phosphate snail bait pellets that are not harmful to people/pets....See MoreCasara
8 years agoKC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
8 years agoCasara
8 years agoKC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
8 years agoCasara
8 years agolarry_gene
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMissSherry
8 years agodragonflydee
8 years agoCasara
8 years agoangelimperfect36
8 years agoMissSherry
8 years agoTom
8 years agoCasara
8 years agoMissSherry
8 years agoCasara
8 years agoHU-28389796
8 months ago
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kaboehm (zone 9a, TX USA)