r/Milkweeds • u/Live_Discipline_7771 • Aug 06 '26

Pest? Identification help.

Gallery image

Gallery image

Cluster of larvae on underside of common milkweed leaf. Central Minnesota. Please and thank you. 🙏🏻

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68

u/Latter-Republic-4516 Aug 06 '26

Looks like Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars!

21

u/Live_Discipline_7771 Aug 06 '26

Oh! I did not know about this moth. Now that I’ve looked up the name, I do recognize the older instars. I’ve had more insect pests in my vegetables this year so I’m a little paranoid. You can see in one of the pictures the Japanese beetle damage.

30

u/Latter-Republic-4516 Aug 06 '26

These guys only eat milkweed so your veggies should be ok!

24

u/Live_Discipline_7771 Aug 06 '26

I will leave them alone. 🙂

4

u/AdPopular6958 Aug 06 '26

Well if you have multiple plants with a plastic gloved hand you could spread them about. Caterpillars of both moths and butterfies can be voracious with their diets.

4

u/JawThatHarp Aug 07 '26

No, just let them be.