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.

Creepy crawlies – gotta love them, and RAIN!

I was fascinated with this orchid spider and its prey.


It didn't like me watching!


See also: Goldenrod crab spider from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Wooly Bear caterpillar

This cute little wooly bear caterpillar will become an Isabella moth! It's taken over the milkweed from the monarch!


Of course, with all the bugs about... a northern flicker. I took this out the front window.

Tufted Milkweed Caterpillars

"Are you my big brother?"

Lady beetles

These are mostly lady bug larvae. They have an interesting life cycle. They look really strange!

In the house... it's just too hot for a little Hooper.

There are 122 active fires across northern Ontario, 25 are not under control.  There are fires out in B.C., as well. New Zealand just sent some firefighters to help out. For that, Canadians are grateful.
Good news, we had rain. I saw the storm coming our way, just off to the south, however.



Right between the two trees, while I was watching a hummingbird, a double smack of lightning. You'll have to trust me! From this storm we had 0.8 mm rain. Not much. When I awoke this morning, another 10.7 mm. It is a relief.

Life cycles fascinate me: Monarch, Tussock Moth!

From my teaching days, when mind maps were the thing, I've kept up my skills using my own critter photos and research.

Milkweed Tussock Moth: Euchaetes egle from eggs to caterpillar

Finally, I snagged photos of a milkweed tussock moth!



These weeny little caterpillars are Milkweed Tussock moth eggs, and larvae, as confirmed on BAMONA. They begin at Day 1, Day 2 you could see spots, day 3, they turned white and another critter dropped some eggs beside them! Totally decimating the plant, they work leaf-by-leaf, leaving their droppings underneath on the leaf.

Milkweed Tussock Moth or Milkweed Tiger Moth

I have yet to photograph one!

Euchaetes egle (Drury, 1773)

Family: Erebidae

Subfamily: Arctiinae

Egg masses are laid on the leaf.

These are the cutest little caterpillars.

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