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.
20230826_100157.jpg
Instead of Monarch caterpillars the milkweed were being devoured by a multitude of Milkweed Tussock also called the Milkweed Tiger Moth larva (Euchaetes egle)
20230826_095757.jpg

20230826_095731.jpg

20230826_095722.jpg
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.
20230826_095835.jpg
Enjoy Mother Nature's creations.