Yellow bugs on my Swamp Milkweed - Ask Extension
Hello,
Can you tell me what these bugs are and how to get rid of them (if I can without dissuading Monarchs to lay their eggs)?
When do Monarchs lay t...
Knowledgebase
Yellow bugs on my Swamp Milkweed #270196
Asked August 14, 2015, 4:17 PM EDT
Hello,
Can you tell me what these bugs are and how to get rid of them (if I can without dissuading Monarchs to lay their eggs)?
When do Monarchs lay their eggs?
Thank you,
Jennifer
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Looks like oleander aphids, little pear-shaped insects with black legs. They LOVE milkweed. They are sucking insects and can stress the milkweed by sucking its juices and possibly killing the plant with a heavy infestation. You can try hosing them off with a strong stream of water, or treating the milkweed with neem oil--it blocks the aphids' spiracles so they suffocate. More info: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in520
