Anonymous
09/03/2025 14:11
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I planted a big patch of several types of Asclepius in my new house this spring, and they have grown and flowered beautifully. I thought they would attract dozens of butterflies and caterpillars but I just see the odd one every now and then. We don’t spray for mosquitoes and to the best of my knowledge no one else on our street does. The yards are all big with lots of mature trees. How can I make my garden more welcoming?
It takes a few years. But also, plant diff types of milkweed and other flowers that pollinators like. In my yard, they love:
-lobelia
-tickseed
-coneflowers
-black-eyed susans
-bee balm
I have all the plants pollinators like in my front/side/back yards. The plant the pollinators go crazy over far above any other is ugly goldenrod. It is covered by everything.
Anonymous
09/03/2025 14:10
Subject: Re:Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
I walked by a neighbor’s yard in Bethesda the other day and saw some plants absolutely covered with bees, wasps, moths and butterflies. Literally hundreds of them—the plant looked like its surface was writhing. Picture This tells me it’s mountain mint. It was growing in full sun in their front yard next to the sidewalk.
Anonymous
09/03/2025 14:03
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Another bonus of milkweed - it’s poisonous to spotted lantern flies!
That's good to know!
That's still being investigated by Penn State, and the studies aren't due to be completed until 2028.
Myth Debunked
According to entomologists at Penn State Extension, the claim that milkweed is toxic to spotted lanternflies is false. It’s one of several myths circulating about this invasive insect. While milkweed contains cardiac glycosides — compounds that are toxic to many birds and mammals — there’s no scientific evidence that these compounds harm or deter spotted lanternflies.
Why the Confusion?
- Cardiac glycosides are indeed potent chemicals. Monarch butterflies famously sequester them from milkweed to become unpalatable to predators.
- However, spotted lanternflies are sap-feeding insects, and their physiology doesn’t appear to be affected by these compounds in the same way.
- The lanternfly’s preferred hosts (like tree of heaven) also contain toxic compounds, yet it thrives on them — suggesting a high tolerance or detoxification mechanism.
Anecdotal vs. Empirical
Some gardeners and bloggers have speculated that lanternflies avoid milkweed or die after contact, but these are anecdotal observations, not backed by controlled studies. Researchers emphasize the importance of evidence-based pest control, especially when balancing ecological preservation with invasive species management.
Penn State has been at the forefront of spotted lanternfly (SLF) research, especially through its College of Agricultural Sciences. While milkweed is often mentioned in public discourse around SLF, Penn State researchers have clarified that milkweed is not toxic to spotted lanternflies, and there are currently no formal studies at Penn State investigating milkweed as a control method for SLF.
Here’s what their current research is focusing on:
---
Penn State’s Spotted Lanternfly Research Highlights
Myth-Busting & Public Education
- Heather Leach, SLF Extension Associate, and Kelli Hoover, Professor of Entomology, have led efforts to debunk misinformation — including the myth that milkweed harms SLF.
- They emphasize that while milkweed contains cardiac glycosides (toxic to birds and mammals), SLF physiology is unaffected by these compounds.
Reproduction Without Tree-of-Heaven
- Hoover’s lab demonstrated that SLF can reproduce without access to Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven), its preferred host. In controlled studies, SLF completed their lifecycle on silver maple, willow, and river birch.
Biological Control & Natural Predators
- Penn State researchers are exploring native predators and parasitoids, such as Anastatus orientalis, to target SLF eggs.
- They’re also studying fungal pathogens and microbial agents that could serve as environmentally friendly control options.
Home Remedies & Environmental Risks
- Julie Urban, Associate Research Professor, cautions against untested home remedies like dish soap sprays, which may harm native insects and ecosystems.
---
Milkweed: Clarified Role
While milkweed is a vital host for monarch butterflies and a key player in pollinator conservation, Penn State researchers have not found any evidence that it affects SLF populations. They encourage planting native milkweed to support monarchs, but not as a pest control strategy for lanternflies.
There are slfs right now on my milkweed. We are constantly killing them on our milkweed. It seems to do nothing to them.
Anonymous
09/03/2025 10:50
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anonymous wrote:I planted a big patch of several types of Asclepius in my new house this spring, and they have grown and flowered beautifully. I thought they would attract dozens of butterflies and caterpillars but I just see the odd one every now and then. We don’t spray for mosquitoes and to the best of my knowledge no one else on our street does. The yards are all big with lots of mature trees. How can I make my garden more welcoming?
It takes a few years. But also, plant diff types of milkweed and other flowers that pollinators like. In my yard, they love:
-lobelia
-tickseed
-coneflowers
-black-eyed susans
-bee balm
Anonymous
09/02/2025 13:38
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
I have planted several native milkweeds. I’ve seen lots of monarchs but no caterpillars.
Anonymous
09/02/2025 12:28
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
The 2019 Penn State research concluding not toxic was a simple 2 week student project. More recent research by SARE shows that 60-80% of SLF nymphs feeding on milkweed die before adulthood.
Anonymous
09/02/2025 12:20
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anecdotally, there were hundreds of SLF instars on my milkweed, but I've only seen about 4 adults in the yard.
So while there may not be an immediate toxicity show in by official studies done so far, something is going on for sure, so, I'm advocating milkweed as a defense -- it certainly does no harm.
So while there may not be an immediate toxicity show in by official studies done so far, something is going on for sure, so, I'm advocating milkweed as a defense -- it certainly does no harm.
Anonymous
08/27/2025 19:42
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Another bonus of milkweed - it’s poisonous to spotted lantern flies!
That's good to know!
That's still being investigated by Penn State, and the studies aren't due to be completed until 2028.
Myth Debunked
According to entomologists at Penn State Extension, the claim that milkweed is toxic to spotted lanternflies is false. It’s one of several myths circulating about this invasive insect. While milkweed contains cardiac glycosides — compounds that are toxic to many birds and mammals — there’s no scientific evidence that these compounds harm or deter spotted lanternflies.
Why the Confusion?
- Cardiac glycosides are indeed potent chemicals. Monarch butterflies famously sequester them from milkweed to become unpalatable to predators.
- However, spotted lanternflies are sap-feeding insects, and their physiology doesn’t appear to be affected by these compounds in the same way.
- The lanternfly’s preferred hosts (like tree of heaven) also contain toxic compounds, yet it thrives on them — suggesting a high tolerance or detoxification mechanism.
Anecdotal vs. Empirical
Some gardeners and bloggers have speculated that lanternflies avoid milkweed or die after contact, but these are anecdotal observations, not backed by controlled studies. Researchers emphasize the importance of evidence-based pest control, especially when balancing ecological preservation with invasive species management.
Penn State has been at the forefront of spotted lanternfly (SLF) research, especially through its College of Agricultural Sciences. While milkweed is often mentioned in public discourse around SLF, Penn State researchers have clarified that milkweed is not toxic to spotted lanternflies, and there are currently no formal studies at Penn State investigating milkweed as a control method for SLF.
Here’s what their current research is focusing on:
---
Penn State’s Spotted Lanternfly Research Highlights
Myth-Busting & Public Education
- Heather Leach, SLF Extension Associate, and Kelli Hoover, Professor of Entomology, have led efforts to debunk misinformation — including the myth that milkweed harms SLF.
- They emphasize that while milkweed contains cardiac glycosides (toxic to birds and mammals), SLF physiology is unaffected by these compounds.
Reproduction Without Tree-of-Heaven
- Hoover’s lab demonstrated that SLF can reproduce without access to Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven), its preferred host. In controlled studies, SLF completed their lifecycle on silver maple, willow, and river birch.
Biological Control & Natural Predators
- Penn State researchers are exploring native predators and parasitoids, such as Anastatus orientalis, to target SLF eggs.
- They’re also studying fungal pathogens and microbial agents that could serve as environmentally friendly control options.
Home Remedies & Environmental Risks
- Julie Urban, Associate Research Professor, cautions against untested home remedies like dish soap sprays, which may harm native insects and ecosystems.
---
Milkweed: Clarified Role
While milkweed is a vital host for monarch butterflies and a key player in pollinator conservation, Penn State researchers have not found any evidence that it affects SLF populations. They encourage planting native milkweed to support monarchs, but not as a pest control strategy for lanternflies.
Anonymous
08/26/2025 19:54
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Anonymous wrote:Another bonus of milkweed - it’s poisonous to spotted lantern flies!
That's good to know!
Anonymous
08/20/2025 00:22
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Another bonus of milkweed - it’s poisonous to spotted lantern flies!
Anonymous
08/19/2025 23:56
Subject: Re:Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Joe Pye Weed or Little Joe attracts a ton of swallowtails and many varieties of bees. I’ve had more Monarchs this year as well but the swallowtails will spend 20 minutes on that plant. I’ve actually timed it because I couldn’t believe how chill these creatures are. They don’t fly away when I get near them. The plant must be too irresistible.
Anonymous
08/19/2025 07:51
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
Plant other native plants, let things be untidy in fall and winter, and give it 3-5 years.
Also plant a pawpaw tree if you like zebra swallowtails.
Also plant a pawpaw tree if you like zebra swallowtails.
Anonymous
08/19/2025 07:46
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
I have a ton of native plants in my little DC yard and I see more pollinators every year. I think it takes a while for them to find you. Also, make sure you have good nectar plants, too: monarchs only lay their eggs on milkweed but the adults love to snack on my Joe Pye weed and liatris and other flowers. Also, milkweed really is specific to monarchs. If you want other butterflies, plant a wide variety of flowering natives (plus dill or fennel).
Anonymous
08/18/2025 13:57
Subject: Re:Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
For bugs generally? Don’t get rid of your leaves. Use them as mulch in the fall by raking them into your beds. Firefly eggs and other insects use them as shelter and protection in the winter. You’ll have a much healthier yard next year if you do.
Don’t spray is definitely good advice. Beyond that, is it a local cultivar? You’ll do better with natives.
Don’t spray is definitely good advice. Beyond that, is it a local cultivar? You’ll do better with natives.
Anonymous
08/18/2025 12:34
Subject: Planted lots of butterfly weed, no butterflies
I planted a big patch of several types of Asclepius in my new house this spring, and they have grown and flowered beautifully. I thought they would attract dozens of butterflies and caterpillars but I just see the odd one every now and then. We don’t spray for mosquitoes and to the best of my knowledge no one else on our street does. The yards are all big with lots of mature trees. How can I make my garden more welcoming?