Spotted Cucumber Beetle by Chipka
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Description
Though cucumber beetles are likely to exist worldwide, spotted cucumber beetles (distinguished by their yellow coloration and 12, symmetrical spots) are native to the North American continent. Like many so-called “pest” insects, they’ve undoubtedly taken advantage of intermodal transportation and spread around the world. Pest insects like to do that, after all; they have colonial interests. I am not a farmer; I’m not even a gardener, and so I don’t perceive these little beauties as pests. Indeed, I’m rather fond of them, and find it amusing that they are likely to have gone where we’ve gone. I’ve also learned that when dealing with “pest” insects, a bit of negotiation goes a long way: if it has 6 legs and you want to get rid of it, simply give it what it wants. It’ll be satisfied with that. Insects, unlike humans and birds, know when they’ve had enough. Whether they care or not, is a completely different matter, but they know…and as I’ve learned from yellow jackets, there’s an immense difference between knowing and caring. Yellow jackets (like most insects) simply can’t be bothered to care about all of that trivial human stuff. (Insects…I suspect they’re the Universe’s way of saying to humans: you’re not all you think you are! Insects, after all, habitually crush human egos, even cockroaches clean themselves, meticulously, if humans ever touch them.)
I discovered this lovely, non-human person, in a particular truck-yard in Chicago. I’ve seen spotted cucumber beetles before—not surprisingly, on cucumber plants, though I have it on good (beetle) authority that they prefer corn and beans. Something about the taste, I’m told. Corn roots (I’m also told) provide more wiggle room for ambitious larvae to tunnel through. The spotted cucumber beetle, pictured here, wasn’t very interested in corn or beans. I suppose if you live in a truck-yard (or at least go for lunch in one) you get what you can, and Brown-Eyed Susan is as tasty a plant as any. I was amused by the fact that this particular beetle seemed interested in eating the color from flower petals. I was pleased that this particular beetle decided that it was all right to pose (almost cooperatively) for a picture.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a fantastic week, and hopefully—for any of you who happen to be gardeners—you haven’t had an invasion of these cute, little eating machines.
Comments (30)
SSoffia
Definitely wonderful! Glorious capture and composition !!!!!
bobrgallegos
Wonderful very detailed and colorful macro!!
danob
Nice shot and interesting info
Sepiasiren
awww now what a very pretty beetle--I can appreciate his loveliness!
MrsRatbag
Oh dear, he does seem to have developed a taste for the petals...I guess that's as good a use as any for them after the pollen has been collected by bees. Great capture of this little beetle!
NightGallery
Great looking shot.
dreampaint
really nice capture, macro fan so i love it :) really good job.
.Nachtwind.
What a cute beetle. Wonderful macro!
Feliciti
excellent macro of this little beauty , his yellow back looks partly like a lemons i think !!!thanks for info about !!
durleybeachbum
Super pic,and very interesting info!
flavia49
fabulous image!
icerian
Beatles are artwork of nature, yu are presenting very nice one!!! Thank you, Chip, for sharing it. Regarding my last upload "New York" I am working in the app Irfan, simply using some default filtres, after cropping part of photograph.
MadameX
Obviously, the color yellow is quite yummy! This is a wonderful shot of a really beautiful beetle, even if it can be troublesome to gardeners.
ia-du-lin
beautiful flower/insect foto, wonderful colors
sandra46
GREAT IMAGE!
m_j_s
Superb shot! Wonderful level of detail!!
Orinoor
Gorgeous photo and what colors, wow. I don't really mind the spotted cucumber beetles, they've never been much of a problem in my garden (unlike aphids) and they are quite charming to look at.
photosynthesis
Interesting & colorful little character & a well-composed image...
Lashia
Wow so much colour and detail in this tiny little macro! Awesome eye and use of space in this shot- thanks for sharing! :) You should check out the Halloween Photography Contest! "Zombie Apocalypse!"
NefariousDrO
I can see why you like them, quite the striking creature! Your affinity for insects plays well with your writing style, and especially how your imagination works. It's always fascinating to see what thoughts are inspired by the kinds of things most people don't even notice.
RodS
A beautiful macro of the dapper little guy, Chip! I rather like our little 6-legged friends, myself.
fallen21
Awesome shot.
evielouise
I have never heard of this beetle how fantastic Of course I have seen it but didn't know the name amazing ,beautiful colors like a rainbow what one can learn coming in to your site
helanker
Now that is a beautiful bug indeed. There are many amazing creatures in that truckyard, if just you have eyes for it and indeed you have that.
beachzz
These are NOT creatures you want in a garden!! I've been working for a friend in his huge garden and smashed every one I could find. Not much fun, but it's either them or the tomatoes!!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
auntietk
Outstanding composition and color, and I love the shiny beetle! This is a great picture.
moochagoo
Great macro and nice colors !
Blush
Oh a flower image and it has a visitor too:)lOL I am a flower fanatic...and like beetles too I always call them a good luck charm....LOL Thank you for the most interesting facts I would never of thought about insects cleaning up after themselves... While we are afraid to touch them.......we now have to remember that while they may seem nasty they really aren't.... Love it...def a fav Hugs Susan~
danapommet
Super macro capture Chip and wonderful information and narrative. Dana