What eats milkweed plants?

This species uses milkweed at all stages of its life cycle. The adult lays it eggs on milkweed only. The larvae of this species are herbivorous, and milkweed is the only food the caterpillars can eat. The adults of this species are nectivorous. They drink nectar from many species of flowers, including milkweed. read more

As Milkweed is toxic to many animals and the Monarch cats and other bugs that do eat the milkweed are toxic to many (not all) predator birds, I was surprised to see a bird actually eating the flowers of the plant. read more

Milkweed Tussock moth caterpillars appearance changes as they grow, but I don’t think they match your description. They are unlikely to cause direct harm to your Monarch eggs or caterpillars, since they most likely eat plant material, not other insects. If Milkweed is a host, they may be competing for Milkweed leaves with the Monarch caterpillars. read more