Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Large Milkweed Bug Nymphs

These pictures area few weeks old because I haven't had time to share them and I really haven't felt like it until now. I'm trying to conquer a bit of fall fatigue I get every year about this time. I really planned on making this a nice big complicated post, but let's just see if I can keep it a bit simpler than that.

What you are looking at here are Large Milkweed Bug Nymphs (young ones). I've seen small milkweed bugs before, but this is the first time I've ever seen the large kind. A simple search on this site can find some very interesting, and an even somewhat scientific post about the small ones.

I'm not going to bore you with too many details about these bugs here, but you can find plenty of information with a simple web search. You should do it simply because your fingers need the extra exercise. Go on, it's good for you.

This picture above gives you a pretty good view of these bugs. Bugs can look kind of disgusting to the human eye sometimes if you're not prepared for them. Don't you think? Especially when they're all huddled together like these.

Here's one boring its head into a milkweed pod. They're one of the few kinds of creatures that eat these plants. If you look closely you can see that those big black parts on its back aren't all the way attached. Can you guess why? You're smart so I'll let you figure it out.

Even though they are on more than one pod, most of these bugs huddle together with each other.

It's kind of interesting how I found these bugs. You wouldn't guess it, but I was driving along and I spotted them from my truck. The picture above is just about what I saw that made me stop. It's amazing what you can find when you are looking.

I posted this last picture just because I wanted to give you one last look at them. I'm fascinated by these bugs. Bugs can be disgusting, but they are also very interesting. There were ladybugs and boxelder bugs all over my garage this fall, like every year, but I neglected to get any pictures. Now I wish I would have gotten a few.

Most people like ladybugs, but I've noticed in the past several years that we have a new kind that bite. It only hurts a little bit, but it doesn't feel pleasant. I've written about them in the past and they are a new different kind than from long ago years past.

So anyway, I'll try to begin posting more often again soon, but I'm not promising anything just yet. I still need to find some inspiration to shake off this fall depression. It will happen, but I'm not sure when yet. and with that last negative note, I'll talk to you later...

8 comments:

  1. I'll bet those guys are great pollinators

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  2. Thats a lot of bugs. I don't mind them so long as they don't invade my personal space

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  3. I am not a lover of insects but I appreciate them usually.

    Take care, Ratty. Hope to hear from you soon!

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  4. Bug master here you are.
    But I prefer squirrels, geese, deer etc than these insects.

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  5. Yeah, the milkweed bugs are kind of weird. Actually, a lot of bugs are weird. But fascinating.

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  6. Bugs are interesting and they fulfil a purpose in their lives :)

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  7. I understand Autumn depression -- before we retired I used to hate November -- so dark both morning and evening and so much rain (here in Oregon) ... and just knowing that it wasn't going to get any better for months. We are old now and fly away soon, so there are some good things about being old. Those are pretty good looking for bugs -- but there are a lot of them in one place there, so I know they would freak out some people. I like them. Great spotting from the road.

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