Good Growing

Milkweeds have become a popular garden plant in the last several years. They are most commonly planted to help support monarch butterflies because milkweeds are the sole food source for monarch caterpillars. If you’ve ever gone out to check your milkweed plants for monarch caterpillars, you may have been surprised to find other insects living and feeding on your milkweed plants. After all, milkweeds are toxic to other animals. However, some insects have evolved to be able to feed on milkweed and, like monarch caterpillars, have become milkweed specialists.

 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cLvl96PpqOg

Photos
Red milkweed beetle
Swamp milkweed leaf beetle
Milkweed bugs – Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension

Milkweed tussock moth
Oleander aphids - Ken Johnson, University of Illinois Extension
 


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Chris Enroth: cenroth@illinois.edu
Ken Johnson: kjohnso@illinois.edu 
 
 
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Creators & Guests

Host
Chris Enroth
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties
Host
Ken Johnson
University of Illinois Extension Horticulture Educator serving Calhoun, Cass, Greene, Morgan, and Scott Counties

What is Good Growing?

Talking all things horticulture, ecology, and design.