Garden Morning

I was up early today and after a quick breakfast, decided to spend some time in the back yard, pruning at a leisurely pace and taking a few photos. This attractive beetle on our fuchsia caught my eye, and over the course of less than a minute, I took three "portraits" of it. (See the other two in the extras -- the insect didn't move, but I did, just a little, playing with the light.)

I wanted to know what kind of beetle it was--and if it would harm the fuchsia--and found the answers on Wikipedia. This is a Common Red Soldier Beetle, and it has a much more interesting name in England: Hogweed Bonking Beetle.  

It was a relief to read that "Adults feed on aphids, and also eat pollen and nectar. Larvae prey on ground-dwelling invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, and live at the base of long grasses. 

"The adults, which are active between the months of June and August, spend much of their short lives mating and can often be seen in pairs." 

I hope this one finds a mate and settles down here!

(Heartfelt thanks for your comments, stars, and hearts on the flicker mother/daughter blip!)


Blip 2018