Are Monarchs the only butterfly that eats butterfly weed?

Question

We found a caterpillar on a butterfly weed plant and I know it is not a Monarch. It is black and has "hair" like things sticking out here and there.

Answer 1

I think you mean milkweed, unless there are other names for it. Butterflies are one of the only species that feed on this plant exclusively. Monarchs are one of the only butterflies that feed on these plants throughout their entire lives. Many species of butterflies can feed on the nectar of the flowers, but only the monarch caterpillar can feed on the leaves.

Answer 2

The Monarch caterpillar eats on the milkweed plant. Any other caterpillar that possibly has hair, that is brownish to black in color is a bad one. They kill plants and damage most of the apple trees. If i were you the next time you see it - step on it.

Answer 3

The black caterpillar "with hair sticking out" is probably a Gipsy Moth caterpillar. There has been an unusual number of them this year in North America (and Canada) threatening mainly oak trees (their favourite diet), but they could be found in large numbers, and on almost any plant....

Answer 4

i'm no longer certain about Maine, yet the following in Georgia the monarch caterpillars are only hatching out. They advance very instantly and are continuously discovered on milkweed. Milkweed is frequently modern-day in ditches or open fields and has shiny orange plant existence. My youngsters and that i have been catching the cats for the perfect couple of weeks and bringing them in. Feed them daily sparkling milkweed, sparkling their packing containers daily. we've quite a few cocoons and performance our first butterfly hatch. you are able to carry them a pair of hours till now their wings are waiting to allow them go. It changed into incredibly cool to launch the first butterfly and it went instantly for the milkweed. Gulf frittalarys are out now on passiflora. reliable success