strange cats

[NickiM]

My milkweed patches are growing better than they ever have, don't even have any aphids this year! But, I haven't seen a single monarch cat, actually I haven't even seen any adults this year. My question is what else eats milkweed? I've found dozens of hairy black cats, about two inches long literally COVERING my milkweed. They completely strip the leaves, and just leave the tough ribs. I don't want to kill them without knowing what they are. I saw the pictures from the Texas site, and these things look like the Tiger Moth cat, but they don't have the orange stripes. Any help anyone can give me would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Mona Miller]

They are a pesky little moth called the Milkweed Tussock Moth. Take a bucket, put in some soapy water, and knock them into it. They will eat up all your milkweed.

[NickiM]

Thanks, Mona. I found some pics of them, and you're right, they are Tussock Moths. I've finally seem to have gotten rid of them, and the milkweed is starting to rebound.