Do monarch caterpillars eat this milkweed? (needquickreply)

[Keith Petrosky]

I know monarchs eat common and tropical milkweed, but do they eat butterfly milkweed, which is all orange? What species of milkweed do monarch caterpilalrs eat, I want to plant some new milkweed in the spring, but I want to start growing the seeds now.

[Jim]

Yes, monarch larvae will feed on butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) - as well as on many of the 100 or so species of milkweed in North America. We are working on a listing of the most commonly used species and will update our online Milkweed Guide with this information soon. Stay tuned!

[Keith Petrosky]

I dont know if you knew this, but I was asking if the larvae could feed on all types of milkweed, sorry if I confused you. If they can, could I take domestic larvae and release them on common milkweed in the summer? What species of milkweed will reproduce in New York, I would like to introduce new species. I only have common milkweed by me.

[Keith Petrosky]

Anyone know?

[Sarah]

You can check this website - http://plants.usda.gov - to find out which milkweeds are native to your area. You can also check with your local county extension agent.