Years ago, some of the first plants I tried to key were the thistles. Of course, I don’t remember all the stuff I found about them. However, I still enjoy them. And all the critters that utilizes the thistles.
Sunrise!
All the thistles in today’s post are the Texas Thistle (Cirsium undulatum) (oops a correction: should be Cirsium texanum, long day I guess LOL). First insect on the afternoon walk was the Kern’s Flower Scarab (Euphoria kernii)! Adults have been reported from the flowers and/or fruits of the following plants: Pricklypoppy – Argemone (Papaveraceae), Pricklypear – Opuntia (Cactaceae), Thistle – Cirsium (Asteraceae), Yucca – Yucca (Liliaceae), Mesquite – Prosopis (Fabaceae), Winecup – Callirhoe (Malvaceae), Wheat – Triticum (Poaceae), and Roses – Rosa (Rosaceae) according to BugGuide. I have seen them on Square-bud Primrose (Calylophus berlandieri) as well. I would guess they visit many more genera. Six states are listed for their range.
Blister Beetle (Nemognatha piazata bicolor) has a range listed in BugGuide of only two states, Texas and Colorado. Shortly after I took this photo, it buried it head in the flower’s head.
Dive dive!
Ants are often on the thistles and many other plants.
Someone decided to make a home here with this tiny cocoon!
Next, only a scarred leaf was evidence of someone’s meal! In fact, whoever it was preferred only the top side of the leaf.
The yellow bellied Stink Bug (Hocostethus) are hitting the thistle at my house for the last few weeks. Then an ant jogged by too!
Finally, a thistle that was hanging out with the Greenbriar. Unlike sometimes, it did not fool me that it was a new kind of Greenbriar LOL. 😉
The thistle rosette I dug up from your path has grown a new leaf! Maybe it will flower next year and I can have such fun!!
Sure hope so! Thistles are great!
Thistles are amazing! Nice report and photos.
Thanks!