Not all 8 buds made it to full bloom so this is a shot of the last pink Hedgehog bloom. The glow in the center is the result of strong sunlight coming from behind the cactus. Then, as if cued to appear, here comes a bug 🙂
Tag Archives: bug
eeewww!
A troupe of Agave Snout Weevils have killed both of my variegated Agave Americanas. The scenario was just like I learned in my desert landscaping class. By the time you see the brown spots and then see the holes, it’s much too late.
Buprestidae
I had narrowed down the genus of this bug to Trichodes but I was just informed by Mike Thomas at BugGuide.net that this is a Buprestidae aka Jewel Beetle. Thanks for the ID, Mike. (Next time I’ll wait for an ID before I post!)
There were so many of these bugs on this Cordia that the flowers didn’t stand a chance. Maybe when I get over the fascination, I’ll think about discouraging the plant eating bugs in my yard 🙂
(canon 24-70 at 70mm w/500D diopter. Color in background is decomposed granite.)
Cochineal at work
While looking for a photo this morning, I found what I knew to be a Cochineal infestation on a Prickly Pear cactus. The history of Cochineal bugs is very interesting if you’ve never heard it. They are a source of red dye considered so highly prized at one time that it was listed on the London and Amsterdam Commodities Exchanges. Click here to read all about it.
We rarely see Cochineal on native cactus. This Prickly Pear was purchased at a nursery.
