Detailed information on Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis)

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AerinS

Durham, NC | June 2022 | Negative

Never had them until this year, but they have completely wiped out my butterfly weed! (Durham, NC)

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houstonmom

Houston, TX | July 2014 | Negative

I initially saw just a couple of these bugs feeding on my milkweed and thought they were pretty and harmless so I left them alone. Now, just a couple of weeks later, they have multiplied and are devouring my (scarlet) milkweed and leaving very little for the monarch caterpillars. Every day, I now have to spend time daily looking all over the MW and picking off the adults and the larvae to attempt to slow them down before they eat all the MW. If you see these on your MW, kill them immediately before they multiply out of control. Too bad, they are pretty bugs but not prettier than monarchs!

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Sheila_FW

Fort Worth, TX (Zone 8a) | June 2011 | Negative

My swamp milkweed is stripped of leaves just as it began to bloom. These nasty beetles are everywhere. When distrurbed they drop to the ground and are hard to locate in leaf litter. This is my first year to have them and I don't want them back. Thankfully I haven't been trying to feed Monarchs or I might be in short supply.

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carolbtx

Magnolia, TX (Zone 8b) | October 2010 | Negative

Labidomera clivicollis strips the leaves and buds off any Asclepias curassavica plants that happen in my yard. When I am vigilant, and pick the bettles off, the plant has a chance of surviving to bloom; but this year I have been too busy elsewhere in the garden, and all I have left is three bare stems.

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tylerh918

Olive Branch, MS | July 2010 | Neutral

Swamp milkweed beetle showed up in late July in Olive Branch, MS. I had just purchased the milkweed on line and planted in May. Several branch tips were also covered in yellow egg looking stuff. I pinched the tips off and threw them out. Only noted 3 beetles total. I also have some butterfly weed (tuberosa) and have had it for two years. It gets mildew but never had beetles.

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moe2

Pearland, TX | June 2010 | Negative

My Milkweed crop is devastated again this spring, just as the Monarch's are coming in. They eat everything except the roots and leave nothing for the Monarchs. I can collect two to three dozen adults any morning.

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sallyg

Anne Arundel,, MD (Zone 7b) | May 2008 | Neutral

Found one adult on common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, in Maryland.
Editing- I've had many on Swamp Milkweed; that's the first place I ever saw them in my garden. They much preferred the Swamp milkweed. In two years they killed a very hearty specimen.

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organic1

DFW Metroplex, TX (Zone 8a) | November 2007 | Positive

I witnessed a swamp milkweed leaf beetle attacking a web worm. :-)

Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle

Labidomeraclivicollis

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