Fifteen

As in Fifteen-spotted Lady Beetle, one of the Giant Lady Beetles (Genus Anatis), and a yard-first.  I am always a little excited when I find a new critter in the garden and was delighted to learn that this is a native species and one that eats aphids and scale insects.  So definitely a beneficial insect.  It posed for a few pics before disappearing back into the phlox patch.  I read that the spots are less visible as they age and darken but if you look closely you can just make out the hint of spots on this one.  

I scoured the garden for insects and spiders and although I found quite a lot, everything was super tiny which made photos a bit challenging.  I found several pairs of Fourteen Spotted Lady Beetles (an introduced species) engaged in - ahem - sexy business.   Interestingly, they stay at it quite a long time, at least a half hour.  Yes, I was keeping track.  I will put a photo in Extra because they really are cute little things - emphasis on the "little" part.  I also find a very tiny jumping spider eating some sort of fly or gnat - even with a macro lens, it was hard to get any detail due to size.  He was on the same patch of milkweed as the assassin bug I blipped a few days ago, so hopefully he keeps his eyes all open lest he become a meal himself.  The milkweed isn't quite ready to bloom yet, but all the ambush predators know it's going to be a happening place very soon.  

Tomorrow morning I have my mammogram and ultrasound scheduled.  It's been 4 years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about the scans.  I also know that every cancer survivor everywhere goes through this.  I will be glad to put it behind me for another year.

xoxo
Debbi