More than monarchs: Insects on milkweed |

[@mikew.5286]

Here in Houston we get tons of Monarchs. I found this video because we get the other insects, too. I was wandering if the large and small milkweed bugs were good because this was the first year we've seen them. Thanks for the knowledgeable video. I'll continue to squach the yellow aphids with my fingers. 😂 This year, we've released about a hundred Monarchs with only six plants and two cages.

[@JoanPyfrom]

Very informative especially with photos.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dojo1249]

I have over an acre of milkweed but all were wiped out by those little yellow bugs so no monarch butterflies this year.

[@timeenuf4200]

We had a milkweed plant growing naturally in our yard (Southern California). Last year I pulled off all of the seed pods just before they opened with the plan to collect seeds. Didn't go that route - just bought a few new plants. I do recall seeing small aphids and read they were not a problem for the Monarch larvae and we did get a few monarchs caterpillars that we moved to cages. This year the plant is about 3X bigger and I haven't picked the seed pods and the seed is everywhere. We also have zillions of milkweed bugs. From this video it would seem if I pick off the pods the milkweed bug population may dwindle. Yes? Great video - very informative. Thank you. Oh and one more question . . . the big milkweed plant with all of these critters is right next to a potted lemon tree. Any conflict there?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

If you remove the seed pods there's a chance you'd see fewer milkweed bugs. The plant being next to a potted lemon tree shouldn't pose any problems. If you spray the tree for pests, make sure it's not drifting onto the milkweed.

[@peggypylypciw9596]

It is August in WNY. My milk weed has been covered with flies, regular house sort, and yellow jackets to the point that I can’t even walk past. The flies are overwhelming. Black mold is prevalent on my big plants. I tried hosing several times to no avail. I ended up cutting my largest plants down, rescuing the one monarch caterpillar to a tank with young milkweed. How can I avoid this for the future? I am wondering if I need to thin my plants. They grow in a thin strip along my driveway. They do get plenty of sun. Thank you.

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

Sounds like you may have had a lot of aphids on your plants. Scouting your plants and addressing any pest problems early can help prevent outbreaks. Often times, natural enemies will take care of the problem on their own though.

[@peggypylypciw9596]

@@IllinoisExtensionHorticulturethank you

[@ohwowthatsgood]

I saw some beetles that looked just like a milkweed beetle but were completely black. almost exactly same size, same antenna size. any idea what those were?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

I'm not sure. If you have a picture you can send it to us and we'll take a look.

[@danb340]

I get many types of bees feeding on flowers a few monarch that had Caterpillars survive, the thing that I never had known was after dark different types of big moths also feed on the blooms.

[@GaryStark]

So do I risk hosing off the aphids? I wasn’t clear if that was really your recommendation. Are the small monarch caterpillars visible if I look? Is washing away monarch eggs also a risk?

[@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture]

I hose aphids off when populations get really high and I don't see many signs of beneficial insects. Small monarchs will be visible, but they can be hard to find. As long as the water stream isn't too hard, eggs should be fine.

[@GaryStark]

@@IllinoisExtensionHorticulture Much thanks!

[@joanfrellburg4901]

Three years ago I had one milkweed plant. I saw one monarch. Now I have close to 50 milkweeds. Still only one monarch. Guess they're doomed. Maybe the odd fly or tiny bee visits them. Hope this changes. At least they're the prettiest plant in the garden in my opinion.

[@sloanb27]

My kids and I started with 5 milkweed plants and 1 monarch egg about 10 years ago. We now have hundreds of milkweed, and we raise 100+ monarchs from egg to adulthood...this year we realized we might need more milkweed. 😂

[@standingbear998]

milkweed all around here. have never seen a monarch butterfly on one or these bugs.

[@ppss.6302]

I have many more milkweed plants than bugs. Total insect population collapse within the last decade or so.

[@joanfrellburg4901]

Ya, I have a garden that's full on natives now but no visitors hardly.