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Perennials Integrated Pest Management Native Plants

Milkweed damage

2 years ago

I posted in another thread about something going after my milkweed (A. incarnata). A few clumps had emerging stems chomped off down at ground level -- those I dug up and planted in pots to rescue, they're coming along quite nicely. But now some of them have wilted tips, and I can't figure out what is going after them. I think it may be earwigs because I noticed them in some of the tip growth, but I'm not 100% sure. I do note bite marks on the stems. I cut a lot of growth off, hoping to get growth from lateral buds so don't have a really good example, but here's a couple pics from a newly planted clump (whatever beast is going after them has moved on to fresh stock...AARGH!):

In this pic you can see the wilted tip growth on the lower right of the plant; I'm sure it's only a matter of time until they move onto the other stems:

Here the center of the stem is collapsed, it looks like it has been cut, but not sure if wind damage broke the stem if it was weakened by the insect (storms blew through yesterday), or the insect did it:

Any idea who the culprit is?

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mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Well, well, well....it may not be weevils after all. I went out this morning to see if I could find any, and what do I see all over the milkweed? SLUGS!! Leaves and stems, tips and toes -- all over the plants. Beasts! I plunked them into a jar of soapy water to drown them, will have to put out some slug control. That would explain why the potted plants on the cement by the barn are recovering with no noticeable damage on the new growth -- slugs aren't crawling over the cement into the pots. I think I may have seen a weevil or two, but the black "stuff" is probably slug excrement. But, I will still be on the lookout for the weevils. Interestingly, the slugs are not on the nearby hosta -- must be something about the A. incarnata that is particularly tasty.

On a bright note, I did find a monarch caterpillar! :0)

ETA: I went out on afternoon patrol and found a weevil -- looked exactly like the pic in the link. I stomped on it, so he's definitely dead-dead. Guess I'll have to try to get a trap.

Gee whiz -- it wasn't an exaggeration when I said the insects are worse this year.

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Comments (8)

Jay 6a Chicago
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Mxk3, it sounds like milkweed weevils. I only recently learned about them, but I know they are in Ohio. I haven't seen any damage on my milkweeds. They are particularly fond of Asclepias incarnata. Very hard to get rid of, and they will attack other milkweed species too.

http://hyg.ipm.illinois.edu/article.php?id=693
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
2 years ago
That is helpful, Jay. I thought those black things were poop of some sort -- looks like weevils...sigh. At least the likely culprit has been identified. I'll have to spend some time looking up how to battle them -- I don't want to crop rotate as the article suggests; these are landscape plantings.
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Jay 6a Chicago
2 years ago
You have my sympathy. I don't know what I'll do if they show up here. I'm growing over 20 Asclepias species, and many of these native milkweeds take a few years to get established. I'll keep you updated on any new ways of eradicating them.🥺
Nevermore44 - 6a
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Yeah my brother had entire sections of incarnata and a few other species of mw decimated including a tray of seedlings. It doesnt look like there is too much to do. There are scented pheromone boll weevil traps used for cotton fields but the scent lure part cant be found. Post if you are able to find them.
Skip1909
2 years ago
Post if you find a solution! I wonder if there is a biological control, like a parasitic wasp or fly, a fungus, nematodes, or ants.
Jay 6a Chicago
2 years ago
Nevermore...

https://www.greatlakesipm.com/parent-brand/great-lakes-ipm/glgl100606-boll-weevil-trap-6cs
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
2 years ago
I almost hit the submit button on my GL-IPM order but decided to hold off until I see evidence of more weevils -- the cost of shipping made me think twice. But I'll suck it up and order if I really need to.

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