milkweed beetles

[marylou]

Last year, for the first time, my milkweed was plagued with milkweed beetles. Is there anyway to control or deter them?

[Mona Miller]

http://bugguide.net/node/view/2966
Species Tetraopes tetrophthalmus - Red Milkweed Beetle
These eat the leaves and then lay eggs in the stems. Their larvae bore into the rhizomes and destroy the plant.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/2970
These eat the leaves in the all stages.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/504
Species Oncopeltus fasciatus - Large Milkweed Bug

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2008/05/m ... -bugs.html
Basically, I squish them all.

[Paul Cherubini]

Last year, for the first time, my milkweed was plagued with milkweed beetles. Is there anyway to control or deter them?

In the search box at the upper right hand of this page, type in the word Malathion and press the search button. Takes care of aphid problems too.

If you don't want to use synthetic insecticides like Malathion then you will have to live with the damage pest insects do because no one on the forum has ever offered effective and practical non-chemical solutions. Milkweed beetles sometimes (but not always) defoliate a milkweed. Especially the black shiny ones.

[Mona Miller]

Many of us just squish them. I work and walk around my garden several times a day. I purchased some non-latex gloves from Costco. I put those on and then I don't have to deal with the mushy bodies on my hands. I squish the milkweed beetles and the stink bugs, too. I carry a small net around with me and net and stump the european wasp.

The deal is that when I do it this way, my yard is not poisoned, the bugs are not poisoned and the birds can eat them safely. You see I also care about the birds and other wildlife and that is why I don't poison them or myself. We come into contact with all the products that we use in our yards, too.

Perhaps your advice is better posted on another forum. This is a butterfly forum. Insecticides and butterflies just don't get along well together.

[Mona Miller]

Why does Paul Cherubini keep pushing all these insecticides/pesticides/herbicides? It is because that is how he makes his living. Paul sells all this stuff. Paul won't tell you to squish a bug. Paul will tell you to spray the heck out it. The more chemicals that use you, the richer he gets.

[Paul Cherubini]

I work and walk around my garden several times a day.

Few people have that kind of time unless they are retired, are independently wealthy or have a spouse that works full time (hint, hint) and makes enough money to pay all the bills.

If they had the time and interest, someone could make Youtube videos of the many Monarch Waystations that fail to produce many monarchs due to pest bugs that attack the milkweed, the nectar plants and the monarchs themselves. And likewise someone could make Youtube videos of the Waystations that thrive because the owner was willing how to learn to use chemicals that do much more good for butterflies and birds than harm.

[Mona Miller]

I work too (hint, hint) don't stereotype people. I actually worked full time, while my husband worked part-time and I helped put my husband through college (hint, hint).

You really make me laugh. We know about all your videos. They only show people what you want them to see (hint, hint).

[marylou]

This was my very first forum post......I just wanted some help with the milkweed beetle problem....My intent was not to cause a 5 round, winner take all fight. Thank you for your suggestions.

[Mona Miller]

Sorry to tell you, but this is how it goes with Paul. Whenever he can he advertises his pesticide/herbicide business.

I am sorry that this is disturbing you. It disturbs me, too.

I care about butterflies deeply and get pretty alarmed when Paul suggest that we poison our yards.

[marylou]

Well, I appreciate your passion for the butterflies, and their safety. I just thought I started a disagreement between members that I never intended to do. I understand the situation now. Again, thank you to all that reply.....I am a "new egg!"

[Mona Miller]

Please continue to ask question. There's a lot of people who have years of experience here. I've been raising Monarchs for about 20 years now. But, I can always learn something new. Many times I'm learning from people that just started.

You didn't start any thing. You are perfectly innocent.

[Paul Cherubini]

And likewise someone could make Youtube videos of the Waystations that thrive because the owner was willing how to learn to use chemicals that do much more good for butterflies and birds than harm.

Similarly, surveys have suggested that honey beekeepers that treat their beehives with pesticides (to kill varroa pest mites) are less likely to have CCD (colony collapse disorder) in their colonies
https://connect.bayercropscience.us/ind ... e-article/

Excerpt: "Interestingly, there does seem to be a correlation between recent occurrence of CCD and the presence of residues of Varroa control chemicals. In these situations, hives with lower rates of CCD generally have higher varroacide residue levels. This suggests that beekeepers who are more vigilant in controlling Varroa are less likely to have CCD in their colonies."

[Mona Miller]

After your recent attempt to discredit the Monarch Teacher Network with blatant assumptions, you really think I'm going to take your advice.

If you haven't read what Paul Cherubini said about the Monarch Teacher Network, you should read this:
http://www.monarchwatch.org/forums/view ... 607#p14605