Mom?

If you grow milkweed for Monarch butterflies, perhaps you're familiar with these tiny creatures. They are Oleander aphids, Aphis nerii, aka milkweed aphids and they will suck the life out of your plants. If your milkweed plants are covered with these pests, the Monarch butterflies won't even give them a second glance. I check for aphids regularly and crush them with my fingers, then spray them with a sharp stream of water. This is the safest way to battle them. Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil is effective but messy. Just remember that whatever you apply to the plants will transfer to the butterflies! Ladybugs and lacewings love to eat aphids, so include plants that attract these helpers, like marigolds, calendula, sunflower, daisy and dill. 
Interesting Fact:  Oleander aphids reproduce parthenogenetically so there is no male or egg stage! Females produce only cloned female nymphs. So my photo today is the 'mom' aphid and her many female offspring!
Happy Mothers' Day to all you Moms out there!  And I include 'pet moms' in this Celebration, of course.   m