Q&A – What is this yellow stuff covering my milkweed?
Question:
I have milkweed in my garden. Butterflies love it, but this year it is covered with this yellow stuff. What is this?
Answer:
Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center identifies these as oleander aphids. They are very prevalent this year. They are non-native pests that love to feed on milkweed. They reproduce rapidly by cloning. Oleander aphids can be controlled by ladybugs and lacewings and some wasps prey on them. Spraying chemicals for control can be problematic because milkweed is a host for monarch butterflies and you don’t want to harm the butterflies. You can use a stream of water and knock them off. Andy prefers to put on a pair of gloves and squish them. There are soaps and oils that can be used but once again you need to be careful to not harm the desirable insects.
Related Resources:
Aphids
Aphids, Scales and Mites On Home Garden and Landscape Plants
Aphids on Ornamentals
I have milkweed in my garden. Butterflies love it, but this year it is covered with this yellow stuff. What is this?
Answer:
Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center identifies these as oleander aphids. They are very prevalent this year. They are non-native pests that love to feed on milkweed. They reproduce rapidly by cloning. Oleander aphids can be controlled by ladybugs and lacewings and some wasps prey on them. Spraying chemicals for control can be problematic because milkweed is a host for monarch butterflies and you don’t want to harm the butterflies. You can use a stream of water and knock them off. Andy prefers to put on a pair of gloves and squish them. There are soaps and oils that can be used but once again you need to be careful to not harm the desirable insects.
Related Resources:
Aphids
Aphids, Scales and Mites On Home Garden and Landscape Plants
Aphids on Ornamentals