I love the freedom of this thread and the way it meanders from one subject to another. It's spontaneous and unpredictable. You never know what will show up next!!!

Enjoying all of the really nice photos!!

Thanks for the link, Cheryl. I was attacked by a prickly pear once. I hadn't thought of the torch method but I like it!

Yesterday I was watching the grasshopper and spider watch each other.




It was funny because in the end, they were both watching me. Actually, I think the grasshopper was saying cheese!

How funny, Char! I didn't notice your last picture until after I posted. And while I was watching the grasshopper and the spider, I was wondering if I would see a "winner". I've seen it go both ways!

What a fun "mini-drama"!!!

Thanks Char. I remember my grandmother saying my grandfather used to rub the fruit on hessian bags.

Today I spotted this little bee-like creature,





and another kind with big eyes that might just be a fly.



And a wasp of some sort?

joannakat said:

Somebody knitted this guy a really nice sweater!

That's exactly what it looks like! How funny! Now we need an ID, please?

Cheryl identified the Sweater Bug as "Acmaeodera flavomarginata".
I had to copy/paste that because I'll never get it memorized!
Cheryl is amazing at coming up with the names!

Ah, thanks, I missed that!

GrammaChar said:Cheryl identified the Sweater Bug as "Acmaeodera flavomarginata".
I had to copy/paste that because I'll never get it memorized!
Cheryl is amazing at coming up with the names!

LOL, Sweater bug!

Hey, it's starting to be sweater weather, so why not a Sweater Bug?

GrammaChar said:Today I spotted this little bee-like creature,


Hey hey not much time to look around here right now but this is Megachile policaris(I think)
and here's a match(I think) maybe a boy b/c of the green eyes but that isn't always true

Fly on chrysanthemum -

Bee-like there as well -

Spider on dahlia -

http://bugguide.net/node/view/... for another pic of Megachile policaris

nativeplantlover said:http://bugguide.net/node/view/463614 for another pic of Megachile policaris

Ha! So I've found a bug that looks like it's wearing a sweater and now a bee with leg warmers! Aren't insects fascinating!
Thank you, Cheryl. Once again you are the Champion Bug Identifier!!!

GrammaChar said:

Thank you, Cheryl. Once again you are the Champion Bug Identifier!!!

Glad to have Cheryl as part of the best forum on NGA!

She is a treasure. And so are you, Melanie. I've learned so much from this forum! Thank you both!!!

Aww...thanks! And this thread is extra special and it's official!

I get the newsletter early Saturday mornings. Why I'm awake is another story.
Under noteworthy acorn tips this week we have:

@anole with this post: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

@dirtdorphins for this post: http://garden.org/thread/view_...

@GrammaChar is listed for three things, but not in this thread. And Dirt also got listed for one of the many gorgeous banners contributed to the site.

If you aren't subscribed to the newsletter, you can always sign up, or check it out here: http://garden.org/newsletter/

Keep up the good work because I love when our forum makes the newsletter! And that's only possible because of the awesome members!

Crab spider still on the Dahlia -

jmorth said:Crab spider still on the Dahlia -

Jmorth, you dalia is also beautiful!