I planted a packet of swamp milkweed seeds last spring and had one "giant". This is what it looks like now. It is about 3 feet tall, no blooms. I noticed these cats about a week ago. I sure they're not monarchs, but I have no idea what they are. Could anyone tell me the plant and/or the caterpillar? Thanks
The 'mystery' caterpillars are milkweed tussock moth caterpillars - Euchaetes egle
https://pbase.com/tmurray74/image/28315592
Thanks so much for the info. So the plant must be some variety of milk weed, but not the swamp milkweed I bought. Does anyone have an idea?
The leaves do look like those of a swamp milkweed (see https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/udata/r9ndp23q/pink/swamp-milkweed_0816_160734.jpg) and the plants are known to get taller than most other milkweeds. Have you broken/torn a leaf to see if there is a milky exudate typical of milkweeds?
