Do Cats Like Milkweed

They are unlikely to cause direct harm to your Monarch eggs or caterpillars since they most likely eat plant material not other insects.

Do cats like milkweed. Milkweed species in the genus Asclepias contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans but they pose the most danger to grazing animals. Key characteristics of Showy Milkweed Asclepias speciosa. Im happy to hear that the monarch caterpillars are feeding on your milkweed.

Some initiate the conversation. Milkweed Asclepias spp is a group of common herbaceous ornamentals that are an essential food source for caterpillars of the monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus. Overuse isnt an issue with native milkweeds is because the native leaves are only viabledesirable during the earlier parts of their growth cycle.

Generally for single leaves its every other day or so based off of one leaf per small cat and for cuttings it all depends on how many you have eating milkweed. Last week I noticed this fellow noshing on a pot of Swamp milkweed Asclepias incarnata. A kitten might practice her Hiss at you even though.

So lessons learned. Not only is milkweed the preferred food source for adult monarch butterflies the caterpillars prefer it as well. Yes cats like being talked to and there are scientific studies that back it up including a study by Japanese researchers at the University of Tokyo.

Just like monarchs these species have evolved to be able to eat and accumulate milkweed toxins in their bodies as a defense mechanism. Your caterpillars will grow in size roughly 2000 from the day they hatch until the time they form their chrysalidesfrom 2mm to almost 2 inches. Some talk more or less than others.

If Milkweed is a host they may be competing for Milkweed leaves with the Monarch caterpillars. Dont forget about adult butterflies too. Caterpillars can drop off of plants if disturbed.