In-sects

[The_jackalope]

[pangaia]

1. There's a third little guy/gal hidin' out there.

I just noticed it.

[The_jackalope]

5. Patiently waiting to be invited to the party??? nt

[Callalily]

9. Waiting in the wings? ;-)

[CrispyQ]

2. That is a stunning shot!

Love the colorful bugs with the absolutely perfect bud in the background! Do you know the kind of bug & flower?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Japanese beetles. They are a terrible pest, an invasive, non-native species

that will quickly defoliate your garden. They are especially fond of plants in the rose family, though they'll eat damn near anything - they'll wreck your roses, grapevines, raspberries, apple trees and lindens. They're horrible. This photo seems to be of a rose.

[The_jackalope]

6. You should have seen how much Photoshop it took

to repair their trail of damage.

My lack of botanical or entomological knowledge lets me find beauty even in the most despised flora and fauna. Japanese beetles, Creeping Charlie, deadly nightshade - all are just grist for the eye.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. They are beautiful if you don't think about what they do.

There are a lot of beautiful but nasty things in nature. I believe tigers are among the most beautiful creatures on earth, but if one were trying to eat me I wouldn't be thinking of it in quite the same way. Japanese beetles, like a lot of beetles, are iridescent, which offers the opportunity for some cool photography. But I hate the little bastards.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. And it's off to the Greatest Page for your wonderful photo, my dear jackalope!

Truly gorgeous and and a great macro.

[enough]

8. Well I hate this scene in my own garden, but in your photo, it's beautiful! NT

[Callalily]

10. Nice photo!!