This is the second time I've seen these bugs. The first time was way back in my first year of blogging. I was just beginning to find my blogging style and I was just beginning to learn about nature. Back then I still almost never got comments here. That part took a very long time.
If you'd like to see that post you can click here. Go ahead, the post is full of information about these little critters. I'll leave the technical stuff for that one.
These pods are just about a little longer than the width of an adult man's hand. I love milkweed plants because of these pods. Eventually the outer husk will break open and release a whole bunch of fluff that will fly into the air to distribute their attached seeds all over the area.
But that's not going to happen with this particular plant because these bugs will devour the pods, and especially the seeds. They love the taste of the seeds. That blood red color of these bugs is kind of scary looking up close. Creepy little critters!
I have read that milkweed pods were the inspiration behind the pod people in the movie Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. That would give a whole new perspective to these plants if that's true. I wonder where these nasty looking little bugs come in then.
I'm glad I looked in the folder of my pictures from this day. I forgot about these blood red milkweed bug nymphs. I hope you found them as interesting as I do. See ya next time!
Nature Center Magazine - 10 Tips To Get Close To A Deer!
Every time I see bugs or any sort, I wonder the same thing: how do they taste?
ReplyDeleteWe kitties can be pretty single-minded sometimes.
Nature is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe find new things when re-read the same chapter.
I share a huge interest for gardening and nature in general. I have a big problem with potato bugs they are everywhere and I tried all the solutions nothing can keep them away. Lovely place you have here, a lot of information and useful tips. Not to mention lovely images :).
ReplyDeleteThese will stay on this plant for the rest of the season.I haven't seen anyone eating them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info. I also read your earlier post on this milkweed bug.
ReplyDeleteUmi
i looked at the bigger picture again and again, and you are right, each time i come back in this site, your post is still here :) i actually like seeing the bigger picture more since seeing the bigger and finer details in the pictures make the bugs more alive.
ReplyDeleteFarmers and home owners are being encouraged to leave the edges of fields and yards in more natural states . So this beautiful plant and all its occupants will continue for generations.
ReplyDeleteIt was touch and go for a few years when
every one seemed to be grooming their fields like city yards . We got very concerned for the Monarch population for a while.
Great post.
I have never even heard of these bugs before so was happy to find out about a new little critter....shame they will devour the plant but I guess that's the way nature culls this beautiful specimen!
ReplyDeleteI have had these bugs in my yard. They were interesting to watch. I also liked their UGA Bulldog colors.:)Thanks for the info and link to your other post.
ReplyDeleteAt the edge of my son's soccer field, I found these little milkweed bug last year, and was fascinated by them. I was a little worry that those bugs would jump on me.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos, Ratty!
The great thing about nature is there's still so much to learn like this, thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the pics dude, but can we get a larger resolution? Maybe something like 1600x1200? I'd love to use that first deer pic as a wallpaper.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of your comments. I've said it before, but the comments are my favorite part of blogging.
ReplyDelete-
@Fred Rickerson
I've cut down the size of all my photos here to 800x600 because our storage on Blogger is unlimited if they are this small. But I will post the deer photo at 1600x1200 as a Free Wallpaper next Wednesday over on Nature Center Magazine. You can find links to that site in most of my posts.
I took a picture today of a milkweed in bloom but didn't see any of these bugs. I will have to watch for them!
ReplyDeleteI've only seen a few of these over here this year. But more might show up yet.
ReplyDeleteVery cool Ratty. Did you know that when milkweed bugs are adult they have pupated several times. The final stage, the adult stage, reveals large black wings.
ReplyDeleteI really liked reading the early blog on milkweed bugs that you gave us the feed for. It's interesting to note the similarities and differences in your writing style.
I'm always interested in what you have to say. It is a fresh look at the world that many can relate to.
COOL Ratty! I like bugs, even if my kids don't! I will pick up almost any bug and move it out of harms way if I see it soon enough.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am back!
Those darn milkweed bugs will kill that milkweed plant--they are so destructive. They've killed off my collection of milkweed so I don't get many monarchs laying eggs here anymore. :(
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post!
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting information, Ratty. I went back and read your previous article about these bugs. So the poisonous milkweed pod makes the bugs poisonous after they eat it! Wow.
ReplyDeleteI think this is what I just found in my backward. When I first discovered them they were in a pile with others running to and fro the pile. Later in the day they were not piled up anymore but running around. I didn't know if they would eat vegetable plants in the garden. But sounds like they perfer milkweed. Glad I found what I was looking for. Thank you for posting your information.
ReplyDeleteI just saw a ton of them all over my pods .. I have lots of adults too .. I have been pulling my monarch eggs and raising indoor .. To many predictors killing them this year ..
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