San Gabriel Mountains Heritage Association a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

HIKES AND NATURE WALKS IN THE SAN GABRIELS Walks on the Wild Side, Fall-Winter, 2008-9 November 5, 2008 West Fork of the San Gabriel River Narrowleaf Milkweed and Associates Section 2. Insects that feed directly on the milkweed plant. "An astonishing 457 different kinds of insects [are] found on milkweed plants" from The Milkweed Insects Monarch caterpillar on narrowleaf milkweed. Top photo by Karen. Bottom photo by Graham. Notice the tentacles and the bright warning coloration. The fleshy tentacles at the front and rear ends of Monarch larvae are not antennae, but they function as sense organs. The antennae are very small and are on the bottom of the larval head. Monarchs have an effective chemical defense to protect them from predation; when they eat milkweed, they sequester the poisonous cardiac glycosides in the milkweed ... Their bright colors also serve as a warning to predators that they contain these poisonous chemicals. Taken from the sources listed below. More information: Biology has anatomical drawings Insect Spotlight: Milkweed attracts bright, showy insects that can be toxic Monarch Facts Orange aphids on milkweed. Top photo by Karen. Middle and bottom photos by Graham. "There are at least four common species of aphids on milkweed, but the most frequently observed is the yellow milkweed aphid." from The Milkweed Insects They might be this species Oleander aphid but I'm not sure Small or common milkweed bug, Lygaeus kalmii. Photo by Graham. More information: Species Lygaeus kalmii - Small Milkweed Bug This page also shows box elder bug and large milkweed bug and how to tell the difference between them Narrowleaf Milkweed and Associates Introduction Section 1. The Plant Asclepias fascicularis, narrowleaf milkweed Section 2. Insects that feed directly on the milkweed plant Section 3. Insects that feed on the insects that feed on the milkweed Section 4. Other insects we saw "I do not seek. I find." -- Pablo Picasso created November 7, 2008 Back to Index Page The mission of the San Gabriel Mountains Heritage Association is to provide support for environmental education, interpretive and heritage programs on the Angeles National Forest. For how you can help, please call the USFS Mt Baldy Visitor Center at 909 982 2829. In partnership with USDA Forest Service