Antelope Horn Milkweed

Known as the food for the Monarch Butterfly, Antelope Horn is pretty easy to identify.  There’s a puffy looking fruit that houses the seed – it looks like its stuffed with corn silk ( that stringy stuff from corn on the cob ).  It seemed like Monarchs were everywhere in 2021.  You could see butterflies fluttering around and landing on the milkweed leaves or the beautiful yellow, black and white striped Monarch caterpillar feasting on the plant. I’ve learned that Monarch caterpillars can only eat Milkweeds.   What is good for the butterflies is not good for livestock unfortunately. 

Although we didn’t have an infestation, we had a few here and there.  I left them alone as the cattle didn’t seem to confuse them for food. I’ve learned that cattle have pretty good noses and can sniff out what they should and shouldn’t eat.  Plus it was nice to see the butterflies visiting the plant.

Monarch Butterfly caterpillar feeding on Milkweed May 2021

Monarch Butterfly caterpillar exploring - April 2021