Milkweed toxins are called cardiac glycosides and the levels are higher and lower in different milkweeds. □ Beeįound this on a butterfly blog, and thought it might answer the queries about why Monarchs seem to prefer Common Milkweed over Swamp Milkweed, etc. But I hoped I might be able to help someone with the same problem. This year I’m going to dig out the soil to see if I can get rid of them that way. It’s small, black and looking thru a lens you can see it has cross hatches on its back. I planed 2 small plants in that spot and they became victims of the Monarch Weevil. I have one small patch that I left unplanted for 3 years thinking it would look else where but it was still there. Sadly about 3 years ago I pulled up all the plants. Out for the stem it quickly drops down to the soil where it lives. The weevil, by cutting around the flower head had released it white liquid that would pour down the stem and feed the larva. On the stem of the plant were scars where this weevil would place his seeds. Lots of monarchs in my yard, But one summer I noticed that the flower heads were nodding. it's fun to have a few right in your yard to observe.įor several years I planted lots of milkweed and raised monarchs. I'm in the SW corner, very rural but between just about any farm field and the road will be a weedy strip of mostly ignored land, and weeds of all kind can be found there. Mind you, once I got good at this, I noticed there is no shortage of milkweed in rural Michigan. Wait for that plant to go to seed and grab some. (Easy way is look on top of lower leaves for tell tail caterpillar poop.)THEN you know you found the right plant. Baby caterpillars are very tiny but once you spot a few, you will get good at it. Monarch eggs are yellowish, and almost always laid one in a spot. The kind you want has broad leaves, and a milky white to almost pinkish flower.Ĭan't hurt to plant what you have but if it's the wrong kind, seems a waste. And yes, they do lose most leaves by fall. Heading out now for a cat-count probably ending in renewed discouragement. I guess after all this, my questions are: Shall I pull out the stumps of those incarnata-like plants that are not attracting monarchs? And what has happened to those that died? And am I beating myself up with the tent idea? I will happily submit photos of all of the above. (Somehow I'd managed to trap a monarch, then my cat got inside and laid on the fragile plants.) Yesterday when I discovered two tiny caterpillars on the plants outside the net tent, I carefully removed the plants (complete with attached caterpillars) then transplanted to the safety of the tent. In an effort to protect them from flying, stinging, poisonous, infectious insects, I erected a small lattice shelter then covered it with fine net. These attract monarchs and I've had some caterpillars - none survived. I have a patch of other incarnata (I think) where each plant arises from a single, independent, flimsy stem. Late bloomers or fakes? No eggs or caterpillars to be found, not a single chewed leaf, and no frassy poo. It's mid-August and I have only tiny, green buds, no flowers. The leaves are healthy and look exactly like the incarnata in on-line photos. Four to six thick, heavy,dark greenish-brown stalks arise from a single stump. I now wonder if they really are swamp milkweed or some imposter. Last year I planted six asclepias incarnata which came along nicely both years but no, I mean NO, butterfly action. This is my second year and, so far, I'm flunking Milkweed 101. Gonna try and save the seeds and next spring, clean up the area and toss those seeds around. If I have the right kind, I have nothing but unwanted weeds out behind our pole barn. But it never spreads and again I've never seen anyone munching it. I do have the butterfly plant to, the one with orange flowers? Took years of trying to get one to take but it's good now. (There is one plant next door, we own that house too that I have been careful not to mow but I have never seen butterflies on it.) But I'm pretty sure I have the kind butterflies WILL eat. I'll wait to see what the seed pods look like. Now I don't want to look at the stems of mine since it would mean sacrificing the flower head so that can wait. Dogbane makes skinny ones, some look like string beans. Solid, dogbane.Īnd then there are the seed pods. Helps to see it.īut the big one here, cut the stem. There are several videos on youtube about this. And milkweed is thicker, stouter, bigger leaves. Dogbane will also branch out, milkweed does not. Milkweed can have some red but big difference. So how to tell them apart?ĭogbane has a redish stem. VERY similar but much more toxic and butterflies will NOT eat it. I've been doing some more homework on this, perhaps something that should be added here?
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