Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars devouring the Red Milkweed at the Pollinator & Memorial Garden
I think Fall is one of my favorite times at the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum. This years is exceptional with the Pollinator Garden now installed and the abundance of Fall wildflowers. Last Saturday while hummingbirds were buzzing above my head, I looked at the Monarch Garden that was planted and saw that the Milkweed was being devoured by these cute little orange, black and white caterpillars which weren't Monarch caterpillars but the same colors. After a bit of investigation it was determined that they were Milkweed Tussock Moth(Euchaetes egle) caterpillars aka Milkweed Tiger Moth. More information can be found here.
This weekend will be a great weekend to see this wide variety of wildflowers throughout the arboretum and along the upper walking path as well as in and around the Pollinator & Memorial Garden. Take a walk into the Pollinator Garden and see what is growing and if you are lucky enough some of the Milkweed Tussock moth caterpillars will still be around, but be careful of low flying hummingbirds.
If you can't get out and enjoy the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum enjoy it thru my camera lens in the slideshow below.
