Bugs, doormats and adorable kids

It's been awhile since I've posted a question for About Amherst's resident entomologist. Nancy, of Northampton, sent these fine photos, inquiring about the bugs on the milkweed.


Says the resident entomologist: " It is a 'milkweed bug' (no kidding). They suck oil from the seeds and are warning-colored as being toxic from feeding on milkweed, like monarch butterflies etc. I don't actually see them that often. You can buy milkweed bugs for school projects but those are lab strains that can be raised on sunflower seeds. "

"The little ones are 'oleander aphids' that are actually common feeding on milkweed (I found many with a class just yesterday) and also toxic and so colored and so on... Cool!"
Saw this funny doormat at the Cummington Fair.
And this one,



It was so great to see my far-flung siblings and kids this summer.