What is the bug on my milkweed
Sandpaper Tongue
5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (11)
Sandpaper Tongue
5 years agoIris S (SC, Zone 7b)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Milkweed bugs
Comments (10)Okay, was just googling on these guys. It sounds like I should consider myself lucky they haven't found their way into the house. I had seen some crawling outside on windows a few weeks ago, thought "What bugs are those?" and then forgot about them until I found the orgy in the little ring bed around the tree. (Which I've decided to stop....it's a mess of roots now, thanks to my application last fall of bunny poo) They're actually very pretty bugs, but so sexed up. I'm guessing this is the first time I've really seen bugs mating. For anyone who searches and finds this thread, here's a paragraph of interest on boxelders (from an extermination company): The bugs themselves are absolutely harmless - very laid-back little fellows, they'll let you handle them, they're not dirty or anything and they won't sting you or eat anything inside your house. The more you have, however, the more you'll notice that the bugs will "spot." A nice word for you-know-what. It is also quite difficult to remove the spots after a few hours....See Morecommon milkweed bug?
Comments (5)perhaps they are harlequin bugs instead? the pic on that page is one kind, I've seen others in my yard. They suck plants dry. I use Pyola®/ Soap-Shield® Combo from gardens alive sparingly since I am trying to up the predatory bugs so don't want to bump off too much of the prey items. Here is a link that might be useful: harlequin...See MoreMilkweed bug vs boxelder bug
Comments (3)I had an emtomology professor that would routinely downgrade any insect collection that had either boxelder bugs or milkweed bugs. The only way to have all your insects correctly identified was to omit both those species. When discussing protective mimicry. I challenged him to eat a monarch and viceroy to see which one tasted bad. I did, and neither one was very appealing. Years later a study showed that red winged blackbirds actually preffered viceroys contrary to what he taught. As you might guess, I left the biology department as he was its chairman. I still think I could identify more insects when I was 12 years old than he ever could....See Morebug on my milkweed
Comments (1)I don't recognize those bugs, but lots of different insects will appreciate the nectar provided by your milkweeds. Don't worry, there's enough to share. Martha...See MoreJay 6a Chicago
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoIris S (SC, Zone 7b)
5 years agoJay 6a Chicago
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoJay 6a Chicago
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
5 years agoSandpaper Tongue
5 years agoSandpaper Tongue
5 years agoJay 6a Chicago
5 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Butterfly Milkweed, a Beacon in the Prairie
Vivacious orange flowers for you, nectar for the butterflies and bees. Asclepias tuberosa is worth planting for more reasons than one
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Milkweed
Quit cringing. This not-weed plant is a sight to behold in the garden, has a delicious vanilla scent and is a magnet for butterflies
Full StoryEARTH DAYHow to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs
Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Asclepias Incarnata for a Butterfly Garden
Beautiful swamp milkweed makes it easy to help monarchs and other pollinators in eastern U.S. gardens
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Asclepias Verticillata
Plant whorled milkweed in dry central and eastern U.S. gardens to attract monarch butterflies and other insect pollinators
Full StoryCALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTSGreat Design Plant: Asclepias Is Attractive to Monarch Butterflies
Increase monarch butterfly populations in California by planting stunning native milkweeds
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Asclepias Viridis
Green antelopehorn is a milkweed that is short, drought-tolerant, not aggressive and a monarch favorite
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Asclepias Subulata
With its attractive upright shape and yellow flowers, Southwest native rush milkweed adds beauty while attracting butterflies
Full StoryREGIONAL GARDEN GUIDESGreat Lakes Gardener's June Checklist
Hear the berries beckoning? Pluck them while enjoying the wealth of garden blossoms and maybe kicking out a few bugs this month
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Ceanothus Americanus
Thriving in lean soil and attracting the good bugs, New Jersey tea is a boon to full-sun areas of the garden
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
Sandpaper TongueOriginal Author