What's eating my spider milkweed?

Spider Milkweed (Asclepias asperula) is a low-growing native of dry Western US sites and shares milkweed family pest pressures: oleander aphids in bright yellow colonies are the main issue. Monarch and queen butterfly caterpillars are beneficial. Milkweed bugs feed on seeds. Avoid pesticides entirely to protect native pollinators and butterfly larvae.

Vivid yellow aphid colonies on stems and new growth; honeydew and sooty mold develop on infested parts Blast with water to dislodge; crush by hand; rely on natural enemies such as ladybird beetles; no insecticide use — caterpillars of monarch and queen butterflies also feed on this plant

Black-and-orange bugs feed on seeds inside pods; seeds may fail to develop if feeding is heavy Hand-remove and drown in soapy water; accept some seed loss as part of the native ecosystem; plant health is not seriously threatened

Clean-cut stems and browsed foliage at ground level, particularly on young or newly planted specimens Wire mesh cylinders around individual plants while establishing; rabbit repellent sprays; established clumps tolerate browsing and re-sprout from roots