I have looked but can't find a picture that matches. I had two of these on my milkweed - which is why I planted it.
Cat ID, please
I'm pretty sure that's a Monarch Butterfly caterpillar. Milkweed is definitely their "host" plant.
That is definitely a Monarch.
Yep, a monarch cat. They are voracious eaters...so remember you can never have too much milkweed :o)
If you see caterpillars with similar coloring but with three sets of antennae-like apendages...they will either be Queens or Soldier caterpillars. Those butterflies use milkweed as a larval host plant.
You also might find hover fly larva eating aphids. I don't use insecticides or treat my yard with anything that might hurt butterflies so I like the little hover fly larva...they are awesome at keeping down the aphid population!
~ Cat
This message was edited Nov 13, 2005 10:46 PM
Thanks, everyone. I was hoping it was something good -- they're so pretty. I was curious about the stripes, as I saw some pictures that were similar, but the stripes were slightly different. Do they vary for individual cats, or are there sub-groups in the monarch family?
We do have to spray around the house for stuff, so I'm planning on putting butterfly host plants on the 'reserve' as we call it, which is the biggest part of our lot.
I will watch for the hover fly larva, too, they sound like friends indeed. I need to re-read the Friend or Foe thread and study those pictures again.
Note: Hoverflies are considered predators...but I think that is mainly for aphids. I haven't found any dessicated or predated caterpillars..maybe because there are always big fat juicy aphids to be had...or maybe because there are so many caterpillars around that I don't notice a decrease in their amounts.
The monarch caterpillar colors may have a slight variety in the shades or band widths of each instar...but they pretty much stay the same.
You might have been seeing a queen caterpillar if the colors looked a bit different - the queen cat has a yellow spot or band within the black bands that usually doesn't go all the way around the cat's body...and it has three sets of antennae-like filaments that sometimes have a yellow or maroon colored base.
Just remember...the monarch cat only has two sets of antennae-like filaments and the color bands go all the way around it.
Here's a photo of a Queen cat.
~ Cat
I think I will recognize that critter if I see one! Great picture.
If the milkweed runs out, parsley is one of their favorite plants....you'll see the caterpillars all over them!
Parsley??? I've never heard of monarchs, queens or soldiers using parsley as a larval host. The butterflies are members of the danaus species and milkweed is the only larval host plant they use.
Maybe you're thinking of swallowtails? I know I have some in my yard and the giant swallowtail as well as the black swallowtails here use it as a larval host.
~ Cat (south tip of Texas)
~Cat - You seem to know a lot about the Monarchs. Can you tell me why I might be seeing so many Monarchs and eggs on my milkweed but why the cats seem to be dying/disappearing shortly after hatching. My milkweed seems to be having a fungus problem (lower leaves spot, turn yellow, and fall off), milkweed bugs, and aphids, but I haven't used any toxins. I had lots of cats the 1st year (2 years ago) I planted milkweed, but no survivors this year despite tons of adults and eggs and milkweed! Thanks in advance for any advice, Sheila
Texas...probably correct, swallowtails...devoured 8 large parsley plants in 4 days...so this year, I planted it like border grass around one of my deck areas...enough for all of them, and a few sprigs for me. However, a big fat toad sucked down a billion cats the one night, so I relocated him/her to the other side of the yard.
MerryMary
Shelialarry, look at MerryMary's post. Big fat toads will do it every time.
Art
Yikes! I thought the Monarch cats were poisonous so I figured it had to be some other insect. I did bring several dozen small cats that I found inside where I have been feeding them with the same milkweed they would get outside. All of them have survived and are now healthy chrysalises, so I figure it has to be a predator rather than a virus, bacterial, fungal, nutritional, or parasitic. I will keep a lookout. Whatever it is, it is voracious and I would like to get it away from my Monarch buffet.
Thanks, Sheila
In my yard it's the lizards. There are several varieties of large green lizards in the yard and I know for a fact that one group is vicious and will bite me if given the chance. It's because of these lizards I don't have many types of cats around too long. About the only ones that last are the ones that have good disguises or those who feed from the underside of leaves.
When I had a pet cat he kept the yard almost lizard free. Now that he has passed they are everywhere.
I have to admit there are a lot less of them around since Wilma came through, but on the other hand there is a lot less cover for them too. I guess it all works out in the end.
Art