I have a volunteer milkweed plant that has been growing for a few years. It is by the fence but still not too far from my tomato plants (grown in containers). Caterpillars including tiny hornworms have already been found on my tomato plant leaves with even a couple of green tomatoes with holes.

The underside of the leaves are covered with what I think is aphids. Can someone identify? Should I cut the plant from the base and have a big bag ready or is this somehow good for nature and I should keep it?

Please advise,
Barb

Definitely aphids...I had the exact same thing on some of the butterfly weed in the early part of the summer. Looks like a feast for the ladybug population!

So should I leave the plant alone or let it go to the chopping block?

These plants are a magnet for the aphids. I usually just let things be so that I don't harm the monarch caterpillars that are on them too. The lady bugs may or may not move in to take care of them. This type of aphid will stay on your milkweed and should leave your tomatoes alone. My vote is to let them be.

Try washing them off with the hose ... that will knock them back anyway.

Thanks for responding and letting me know that the aphids won't migrate to my tomato plants. The plant stays.

Thanks, I have the same thing going on in my garden. In South Florida we are just getting started planting out seedlings for the winter and I also like the butterflies.

Those tropical milkweed have detractors.
On the internet, some people fear that the plant keeps the monarchs in the area past the time for migration.

Can't prove it by me, I get so few....

I did get a few monarch cats this autumn... And they became butterflies.

Suggest branching out.

I grow several matelea, and asclepias tuberosa, and common milkweed, plus others that aren't coming to mind... the aphids don't seem to bother the butterflies.... as to what happens when those aphids mature and develop wings? Can't really say... I try to encourage ladybugs.

I use Safer Soap on these orange/yellow aphids, it kills them but they come back quickly so you have to keep at it. I've started squishing them with my fingers (every time I walk by, which is often) and that seems to work also. The squished aphids take up space on the stems and the live ones don't seem to repopulate as quickly on those spots.