Milkweed tussock moth

EVERYONE is talking about the numbers of monarchs. There are a lot of critters who live off of the milkweed plants. We have hundreds of plants. They are well-past blooming, but the flowers smell amazing.

I think these are wasps, who create little mud pots.


I want to show you the milkweed tussock moth caterpillars. I've submitted one of my photos to BAMONA (the egg mass with hatched caterpillars), where they provide information to civilians. Volunteers will verify your species, if you have a doubt about your bug finding! It's such a wonderful project. You can see mine here on the BAMONA site.

This is truly an update, as the egg mass on the milkweed plant were a mystery to me last month. Now I know for sure! I created a life cycle on my Inspiration App. I have used it for years with my students. Those days are done. Now I have fun!

I haven't been out in the dark to find a real tussock moth. The biting bugs have been horrid. The deerflies are easing off. With the recent bit of rain, the mosquitoes have resurrected themselves.