more monarchs munching

There's still lots of monarch caterpillars on my milkweed plants- 

I think a new group- most are smaller than those I saw earlier in august.

Even found some very small ones!

They're so cute

But also- as you can see in the photos- lots of yellow/orange aphids- and the plants are looking a bit sickly. However there is help too- I found a ladybug, and a pair of the biggest, brightest orange assassin bugs I ever saw. 

Pretty sure they were mating.

I wetted my fingers and swiped piles and heaps of the yellow aphids off the plant stems, into a bowl of soapy water. But after a while there's a strong very unpleasant odor and coming back inside I feel sick for hours- nauseated and headache. I think from the odor that came off the milkweed leaves I couldn't help breaking. It is a toxic plant after all. Maybe next time I should wear gloves, but I don't think that will keep the scent from bothering me.

I saw nearby the lovage plant was also looking a bit poorly- 

But looking close it's for a good reason- there's swallowtail caterpillars!

I don't mind sharing, as the lovage grows far more than I ever use it.

On the rue another one- much smaller- 

and of the pattern that makes my youngest exclaim: "it's pretending to be bird poop!" Yep. I have more photos but will post them tomorrow or another day.