I am using the term ‘bugs’ loosely.
I was trying get pictures of the little flower buds on the arrow-leaved asters, when this little character brought me to a full stop. Sometimes you just end up laughing out loud, even in the garden.
This critter, perhaps a katydid, is trying to keep a low profile, but stands out beautifully against the boneset it is hiding on.
There have been butterflies as well, including a smattering of monarchs, but for a couple of weeks painted ladies have visited, instead of the usual monarchs.
On the other hand, in late August I found a butterfly unrecognizable because it was in such good shape and a little larger than average—it turned out to be a European cabbage butterfly. Because the Peterson’s Eastern Butterflies edition that I have does not mention that females have two spots while males have only one, I was confused, but butterfliesandmoths.org does mention that tiny little detail. This butterfly was hanging out in the arugula patch.
The arugula has also hosted an increasing number of honeybees as we moved into September. They have done their job—the arugula seed is starting to set. The bumblebees concentrated on the borage, which has been blooming since early June, but finally looks near the end of its bloom time.
The cicadas are singing by day and have left their discarded wings scattered around the little table under my arbor, but nighttime belongs to the crickets. No need to put on music to fall asleep. Fall is definitely coming.
I haven’t mentioned those bald-faced hornets, the thought of which had scared me so, but yes, I have seen a couple of them as well. They are considered beneficial because they go after yellow jackets. I will grit my teeth and try to remember that.