Milkweed Microcosm

[Bulucanagria]

Here are some of the nyriad insects that I found in one small patch of blossoming Milkweed. I wasn't able to get good pictures of all the ones I saw and I'm sure I wasn't able to see all the ones that were there. Is there another plant that's as useful to so many creatures as Milkweed (not a rhetorical question)?

[Bulucanagria]

It doesn't stop there, folks.

[dapjwy]

Great pictures! ...and great thread!

Way to go, Bulu!

I did see quite a few different insects on a golden Alexandra that is growing on the very corner of the property along the shoulder of the road. I'm trying to get start a patch in my hedgerow under the power lines (maybe "hedge"row is not quite right--I doubt I'll put many woodies there).

Not as many critters as you've got...pictures to follow. No time now. Someone remind me if I don't post them.

[dapjwy]

Here are a few photos as promised.

There were not nearly as many different pollinators as your milkweed microcosm has, but, had I stuck around longer, I'd like to think others would've happened along.

[suunto]

Originally Posted by Bulucanagria

Here are some of the nyriad insects that I found in one small patch of blossoming Milkweed. I wasn't able to get good pictures of all the ones I saw and I'm sure I wasn't able to see all the ones that were there. Is there another plant that's as useful to so many creatures as Milkweed (not a rhetorical question)?

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A nice assortment; including a small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), a hover/flower fly (Diptera: Syrphidae), a milkweed longhorn beetle (Tetraopes sp.; Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) a monarch caterpillar, and a flesh fly (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)!

[havalotta]

WOW, Lots of interest there!
Wonder what the little yellow sticky things are on the box-elder bugs feet.
The 2nd one in your 2nd post looks like some sort of an ant mimic.

[suunto]

Originally Posted by Bulucanagria

It doesn't stop there, folks.

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Another nice group! A sweat bee (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), a picture-winged fly (Diptera: Ulidiidae; likely Delphinia picta), a lady beetle (Brachiacantha ursina; Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), and another lady beetle (likely Cycloneda munda) along with a tiny unidentified fly.

[havalotta]

Oh It's a small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) My mistake.
I see they have the red pattern more INTO the wing area than a box elder has. Google Image Result for http://www.unexco.com/box-milk.jpg
But I'm still wondering what's on its feet?

[suunto]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

Here are a few photos as promised.

There were not nearly as many different pollinators as your milkweed microcosm has, but, had I stuck around longer, I'd like to think others would've happened along.

Other than a few ants, the only insect that I can see well enough to attempt identify are a couple of flies that I believe are in the family Lauxaniidae - see Minettia sp. photo - Tom Murray photos at pbase.com for an example. Flowers are indeed a a great place to find and photograph a variety of insects!

[MrILoveTheAnts]

I like how the first beetle picture has milkweed anthers stuck to it's legs.