My milkweed is almost defoliated because the leaves are being devoured by these amazing yellow, black and white striped caterpillars. I took this photo last evening when I was closing up shop downstairs. They "head-butt" when competing for food. Click here for the really interesting article with a video if you want to watch them fight. Plant more milkweed! That is all Monarch caterpillars eat. Really.
Explained here.
3 comments:
Absolutely, we need more milkweed growers for monarchs to flourish. And may I put a plug in for the lovely black swallowtail butterflies--they love parsley.
Isn't it so gratifying? When we first planted milkweed about 15 years ago; my gardener was a great one....but he was horrified when he saw the defoliation! He pointed at these plants with these caterpillars....completely horrified! And I was delighted! "Oh!! The monarchs found them! Yippeeeeee!" He thought I was insane. I explained that was why we planted them.....and then, when he understood, he was the proudest to point out the chrysalises when they made them.....and exulted with the monarchs flying around.....it was quite a thrill!
Everyone can learn something new every single day....for the rest of our lives!
He's a pretty caterpillar.
Post a Comment