What you may be having trouble with is the Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle. Believe me, I know what sometimes severe damage these can do. They don't always show up here, but when they do, I know I have to check the milkweeds often and kill all adults and larva I can find! Monarchs are seldom seen these days because of their rapidly plummeting numbers...and Asclepias tuberosa aren't all that popular with the Monarch, just from what I've heard. I hope to see some Monarch this spring, but my milkweed is just barely coming back from very severe cold (for my part of the country). I'm afraid I couldn't lure an ELF Monarch with barely any foliage even if they come by. Does these insects look familiar?

Here is a link that might be useful: Bug Guide, Labidomera clivicollis

Linda, that's very similar to what I had, if not the one. I didn't realize Monarchs prefer other Asclepias species.

Thanks for the info. I will try to plant different species this year and see if any monarchs come. I guess I had better be watching for the return of the bugs and start removing them before they take over, too.

Kat

The milkweed beetles and weevils decimated my milkweed last year. They feed mostly in the evening and at night. I started going out with a flashlight and hand picked them into a baggy because I do not use pesticides.

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of milkweed damage from beetles and weevils