Plant Bugs on Milkweed--Help

[dichatham]

Hi All,

I monitor the forum but don't post much as I'm just a tiny neighborhood butterfly lover. I have a great patch of milkweed and am pretty successful at raising the releasing these beautiful creatures.

My question is about these orange and black bugs on my milkweed. I've been told they are called "plant bugs." They are everywhere! I asked at our local farmer's co-op and was told to try insecticidal soap--that it would not harm the butterflies or cats.

Anyone have an opinion on this--or help!

Thanks to all,
Diane Chatham
Baltimore, MD

[Keith Petrosky]

The milkweed bugs usually dont kill the milkweed, they just drink the juices and feed on some of the seeds. I have them here and I see monarch caterpillars on the same plant as them, usually 15 milkweed bugs per plant, and still the plant survives and produces healthy seeds.

Only small plants may be in danger, but then again a small plant cant feed monarchs caterpillars, so I doubt yours is small.

[dichatham]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for your input. I have a whole lot of these bugs! It seems they are always mating and there are more and more babies. It doesn't appear they are doing any damage to the milkweed, but they bother me

My milkweed is now 5 years old and quite large. It's amazing how this stuff gets larger and larger each year.

Have a great day.
Diane

[Keith Petrosky]

You could move them to other milkweed plants so they dont all stay on that one plant.

I have kept the tropical milkweed for 4 years, and it's gets very tall!