What's eating my poke milkweed?

Poke milkweed (Asclepias exaltata), a woodland-edge native, attracts monarch caterpillars and oleander aphids like other milkweeds. Growing in shadier, moister conditions it can also host slugs on young foliage in spring. Aphids are the main nuisance pest; caterpillars are ecologically valuable and should not be controlled.

Dense yellow colonies on shoot tips and underside of upper leaves; honeydew and sooty mold accumulation Blast with water; insecticidal soap spray is effective; time treatments to avoid monarch caterpillar instars

Whole stems stripped of leaves; this species is often used as a secondary host when common milkweed is scarce No control recommended — deliberate. Supplement with additional milkweed species nearby if plants are fully stripped

Irregular holes and ragged edges on young leaves, especially low on the plant; silvery slime trails on soil Scatter iron phosphate slug pellets around base; use a beer trap; clear leaf litter that provides daytime shelter