I have about 25 milkweed plants in this area, but only 4 are mature enough to hold caterpillars.
However, for some reason, this one plant has literally all of them.
They have already eaten away all the leaves on the plant except for those in the picture. The plants are all close enough that they should be able to find another mature one easily so I'm not sure if I should intervene here. 🤔
I'm not sure what type of caterpillars these are, either. Definitely not monarchs.
edit: Looks like Tussock moth
January 2023 issue of Washington Gardener Magazine is out! Inside are features on Broccoli, New and Notable Plants, Downy Woodpeckers , and much more… It is posted and archived online at: https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2023/01/january-2023-issue-of-washington.html Inside this issue: · Year of the Broccoli · Attracting Downy Woodpeckers · Great Gardening Books Reviewed · Boost the Health and Beauty of Your Houseplants · Top Gardening Trends of 2023 · Boxwood Plant Profile · Plant Lust: New and Notable Plants · Seed Exchange 2023 Details · Meet the Milkweed Tussock Moth · Pennycress: A Great Alternative to Traditional Cover Crops · Crocuses and Snowdrops Bring Color Under Trees and Shrubs · DC-MD-VA Gardening Events Calendar · and much more… Note that any submissions, event listings, and advertisements for the February 2023 issue are due by February 5. >> Subscribe to Washington Gardener Magazine today to have the monthly publication sent to your inbox as a PDF several days before it is available online. You can use the PayPal (credit card) online order form here: http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/subscribe.htm #gardendc #gardening #gardenmagazine #yearofthebroccoli (at Washington D.C.) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn48PlyuxUa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=