This spring’s rain helped my old patch of Rubus oklahomus produce the best crop in a number years. Additionally it’s their time. And in case you wondering about Rubus oklahomus, it’s blackberries and yum! So off to pickin’ for me this morning!
The berries are big and sweet!
The Common Wood-nymphs (Cercyonis pegala) were flittering about as well.
A small Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia) had weaved its web!
Certainly you can see the Garden Spider’s zigs and zagged web. However can you find the Spur-throated Grasshopper (Melanoplinae)? It’s slightly above and to the left.
Indeed it will be harder to spot the shadow of a Jumping Spider (Phidippus) through the thick leaves of the Greenbriar.
They were not very interested in me getting their photo. ;-(
The Longlegged Flies (Condylostylus) had even less interest. However this one held still for a second.
Only one Red-banded Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea) was seen. Indeed a colorful creature!
The Stink Bug (Pentatomidae) had jumped in with my berries! Gently they were persuaded to leave my container.
I had finished picking. Next I decided to go around one more time to find other goodies. First was a male Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus)!
Three together! The Buffalo Treehoppers (Ceresini) had jumped all around me while I had picked.
The native and tiny Polished Lady Beetle (Cycloneda munda) was my last find at the patch.
It was time to head back to the house and wash off my treasured berries! Yum!
Blackberries. Yummm!!
We’ve had a lot of critters at our tiny patch too! Even a catbird!!
Catbird! 👏🏻 I had cardinals and painted bunting singing.
The leafhoppers have extraordinary colors and patterns.
Indeed!
We have had bad problems with various stink bugs on our berries. After they feed on a berry it is nasty tasting. Very frustrating.
Had never of that before and very interesting.
Those stink bugs really are a menace! Those and the eastern leaf footed bug have ruined the last of my tomatoes.
Sorry to hear that. I have never had a problem with those insects on my tomatoes. Interesting.