Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

This little guy came crawling across my path up at our cottage in Val des Monts, Quebec.

Because of their colouring and milkweed diet, many people think that these caterpillars are going to turn into Monarch butterflies. Monarch caterpillars actually prefer younger plants for their meals - and earlier in the season - while the milkweed tussock moth caterpillar comes along between July and August (or in my case, early September) and they tend to eat the older plants left behind by the picky monarchs. Yes, they are essentially eating ‘the leftovers’.

I too assumed that because these little eating machines were colored like a monarch that they must certainly be about to turn into smaller versions of their cousins when they emerge in their own winged glory. But is not the case. They turn into moths that are quite nondescript but are no less important as pollinators. It is important to note that like the monarch, their only food source is milkweed, so they won't ravage your other food or floral crops, either. Now that I know more about them, I let them be and actually look forward to seeing them.