A Beautiful Beetle
On a rainy day in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest, few birds presented themselves. This beautiful beetle, likely a species of longhorn, however, allowed a few photos before flying off.
Beetles (order Coleoptera) are one of the most diverse and iconic groups of insects, and my personal favorites. They range in size from the tiniest members being far smaller than a millimeter, to some stag beetles and other tropical giants (such as the aptly-named Hercules beetle) which can grow larger than an adult human’s hand. Most beetles can fly, but do so sparingly. They are often harmless and spend their time hunting smaller insects or consuming organic matter on, under, or just above the forest floor!
Milkweed Beetles
A lovely pair of red milkweed beetles perched on a well-chewed common milkweed leaf. Milkweed is a necessary host plant for the threatened monarch butterfly.
Not only does this plant's flower provide food for a number of other pollinators, but it also allows funky critters like these to live their lives. Please consider planting milkweed in your yard! Photo taken in Selinsgrove, PA.
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Blister Beetle Take-off
Despite their potential to secrete a nasty irritant, blister beetles tend to be quite lovely. Southeast Arizona.
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The Ladybug
After gobbling down some aphids, this beautiful ladybug rests atop a wildflower leaf. This beautiful wildflower is among others that have replaced a once-wasted grass lawn.
Upgrading a portion of your grass lawn to a wildflower garden is not only a beautiful change, but provides food and shelter for untold number of pollinators and often birds! Winfield, PA, USA.
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Litany of Ladybugs
Some insect species swarm in enormous masses to reproduce. Ladybugs are among them. Upon summiting the tallest peak in Southern Arizona's Santa Rita Mountains, my beautiful companion and I came upon millions of ladybugs doing just that! Having not previously encountered a single one during our long hike, the experience was mesmerizing! Mt Wrightson, AZ.
Lovely Ladybug
A little, tiny ladybug scaling some large, luscious, lupine wildflowers. Butterfly Peak Natural Area, AZ.
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Jungle Beetle
This beautiful little beetle, species unknown, chose a beautiful place from which to enjoy the seemingly endless rain. Few large creatures were to be seen, but be observant and there is always magic to be found! Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.
Blue Fungus Beetle
Hence the name, the blue fungus beetle sports his aptly-named attire and seems to feed exclusively on fungus. Madera Canyon, AZ.
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White Weevil
This weevil was much larger than any I've previously met. He/she posed beautifully amidst the acacia leaves. Portal, AZ.
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June Beetle
A beautiful june beetle catches the early-morning sun glimmering off his/her shell. Like reptiles and amphibians, insects rely on external heat to function. They can't create heat like humans can! Willcox, AZ.
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Cottonwood Stag
A stunning cottonwood stag beetle as seen from above. Portal, AZ.
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Click Beetles
An emerald click beetle occupies the foreground while a number of other insects enjoy the riches of this yellow-eyed susan. Madera Canyon, AZ.
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