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Caterpillars on milkweed #766733

Asked August 10, 2021, 2:04 PM EDT

I found these caterpillars eating the living daylights out of my milkweed. I had seen monarch caterpillars earlier but now these guys seem to have taken over. Are they beneficial or should I pick them off to save my milkweed for monarchs?

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

Hello and thank you for your question. The caterpillars on your milkweed are Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars, also known as the milkweed tiger moth caterpillar. They are a native species that uses the poisonous sap of the milkweed plant as a defense mechanism, just like the monarch caterpillar. They have voracious appetites, which can be alarming, but they evolved right alongside monarchs and, as long as there is enough milkweed for everyone to share, they shouldn't be a problem.

Here are some additional links on the milkweed tiger moth caterpillar:

https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019/08/what-are-hairy-caterpillars-eating-my-milkweed-are-they-good-bugs

https://bygl.osu.edu/node/440

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 12, 2021, 10:50 AM EDT
Thanks!


On Thu, Aug 12, 2021 at 10:50 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied August 12, 2021, 4:48 PM EDT

You're welcome!

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 12, 2021, 9:10 PM EDT

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