I walked the yard today looking in the vines and bushes for specimens and I found a cluster of Leaf Footed Bugs and Nymphs. I took pictures of them 'in the wild' and I brought one of the nymphs in for a focus stacking session at 5X magnification.
They belong to the family of True Bugs which defines them with a proboscis instead of typical chewing type mouthparts. They are medium to large sized insects with leaf-shaped plates located on the lower sections of both back legs which can be seen in the last picture of the adult that I took today. Although they feed on plants and fruit they are normally not viewed as destructive plant and crop pests. The adults like this one will most likely overwinter to appear again next spring.
Nymphs are elongated in shape with abdomens that come to a point toward the end. They often in bright colors like orange-red and with dark legs such as the one that I staged in the first image.
This is a fine set Gary. Good narrative too. I enjoyed it as I do with all of your posts. -Doc
Thanks, Doc. I was fortunate to find a cluster with both the adults and the nymphs together. It was like a 'family outing' of sorts.
Of course I make no claim to know anything about this wonderous new world other than what I read and study being curious by nature as a mechanical guy all my adult life. My understandings of the subjects I find are fundamental and in my excitement of discoveries I find through my lens I'm eager to share this little bit of info along with the images. At 72-years old and time to fill I'm like a child with a new toy.
Thanks, Doc. I was fortunate to find a cluster with both the adults and the nymphs together. It was like a 'family outing' of sorts.
Of course I make no claim to know anything about this wonderous new world other than what I read and study being curious by nature as a mechanical guy all my adult life. My understandings of the subjects I find are fundamental and in my excitement of discoveries I find through my lens I'm eager to share this little bit of info along with the images. At 72-years old and time to fill I'm like a child with a new toy.
Thanks, Doc. I was fortunate to find a cluster wi... (show quote)
We are very much alike my friend. I knew very little when I started with odonates but with study, observing, and surrounding my self with people who are smarter than I am I’ve learned quite a bit. I too will be 72 in October. I belonged to 4 entomological groups before I left PA. I learned quite a bit there too. I share what I can with anyone interested. We’ve talked about that many times in past posts. I did have six presentations cancelled because of the quarantine and I’m not sure when they will be rescheduled. So we just keep sharing on here with anyone interested in what we have to offer. Doc
Thanks, I enjoy seeing new things through my lens and then I have to research exactly what it is that I am looking at so I tend to learn a little more each time that I do. I also enjoy sharing my discoveries with others as I also enjoy viewing their work and posts.