Milkweed Tussock Moth

No Monarch cats on the Asclepias syriaca, but, I did find a Euchaetes egle feeding on its leaves yesterday afternoon.

It looks like a colorful pipe cleaner to me.

I've seen plenty of critters on my common milkweed, but, this caterpillar is a first for me. I knew it was a tussock cat by its bright color and bristly hairs, but, had to research to id it. I suspect that this is the final instar for this cat and before long it will leave the milkweed plant and pupate in its small, gray felted cocoon until next spring.

Milkweed Tussock moth

The moths aren't super colorful like the cats, but, they do have  orange and black abdomens that might make spotting them easier. Of course, you know that I will be watching for them.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy this beauty and appreciate the dozens of other critters that rely on Asclepias syriaca in bloom, in seed or just the plant. By the way, common milkweed was our June Wildflower Wednesday star, stop by/click on the link to see its gorgeous bloom.

xoxogail

Gail Eichelberger is a gardener and therapist in Middle Tennessee. She loves wildflowers and native plants and thoroughly enjoys writing about the ones she grows at Clay and Limestone. She reminds all that the words and images are the property of the author and cannot be used without written permission.