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Butterfly Garden

Bugs on Milkweed

18 years ago

I have some Milkweed growing in my butterfly garden. Last night I noticed some orange and black bugs on there. I don't have any Monarchs that I can see, so I don't think there are eggs or cats there, but I think these are assassian bugs, aren't they bad? Should I squish them?

This is the first year I have nice milkweed and NO aphids (maybe because of the drought) so I want to try to keep it in tact until the Monarchs get here.

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Comments (3)

tracey_nj6
18 years ago
They're called milkweed bugs (probably officially "large milkweed bug") and are seed feeders. I get loads every year, and normally just leave them alone, or simply flick them off when I'm in a pissy mood, LOL...
buford
Original Author
18 years ago
THanks. Now that you mention it, they are in the seed pods that just opened. I want to save some of the seeds, so I'll do that now and leave the bugs alone.
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liljagster
18 years ago
They are probably aphids. I squirt them off with either water or soapy water from a spray bottle. Ladybugs eat them, too. If you don't remove them, they can take over the plant.

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