I have first instar caterpillers on my milkweed plants and they are 
stripping the foliage between the veins.  After much internet searching, I 
drew a blank to my question, so I thought I would try the bird community. 
Butterflies fly, so there is some connection to birds.

I know that Monarch and Queen butterflies use Milkweed as host plants for 
their eggs and larvae.  Both of these butterflies lay eggs singley.  My 
problem is that there are close to 100 first instar caterpillers  devouring 
the foliage of the milkweed.  I searched the internet for other butterflies 
that use milkweed as a host that may lay eggs in large clusters to produce 
the number of larvae that I am seeing.  I could not find anything.  I do 
have Monarchs in the yard, but do not pay close enough attention to notice a 
Queen.

Does anyone know of a butterfly (or moth?) that uses milkweed as a host that 
lays eggs in clusters approaching 100 eggs?  (I have not seen any eggs - I 
just noticed the defoliation and then the larvae.)  Please, answers off-line 
unless you think others would be interested.
Thanks
Jim Wilson
Queenstown