Milkweed Tussock Moth catepillars

A little butterfly garden at the Page Springs Fish Hatchery had a section of Milkweed plants to provide food for Monarch Butterflies.

Instead of Monarch caterpillars the milkweed were being devoured by a multitude of Milkweed Tussock also called the Milkweed Tiger Moth larva (Euchaetes egle)

The milkweed plants were being reduced to bare stems by the caterpillars but Mother Nature (and the Arizona Fish and Wildlife people) had propagated plenty of milkweed to provide food for the Monarchs as well and there were several Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) were busy feeding.

Enjoy Mother Nature's creations.