The Beetle Tree
![A Question Mark butterfly, a couple of Hackberry Emperor butterflies, several Japanese beetles, and a fly.](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659739.f5edf403.JPEG) PXL_20220830_234514775b.jpgA Question Mark butterfly, a couple of Hackberry Emperor butterflies, several Japanese beetles, and a fly. |
![A better look at those Japanese beetles!](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659740.12f5ba96.JPEG) PXL_20220830_234555912b.jpgA better look at those Japanese beetles! |
![(2.6 Weeks): Ok, **now** the soda fountain is flowing! Foamy delectable (apparently) sap from the skinny little pecan tree.](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659741.bb250b60.JPEG) PXL_20220917_162227693b.jpg(2.6 Weeks): Ok, **now** the soda fountain is flowing! Foamy delectable (apparently) sap from the skinny little pecan tree. |
![(3 Weeks): And now here come the marauding hordes of walnut caterpillars! (Which yes, do feed on other kinds of nut trees, eg Pecan trees)](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659742.bf3b4825.JPEG) PXL_20220920_142532209b.jpg(3 Weeks): And now here come the marauding hordes of walnut caterpillars! (Which yes, do feed on other kinds of nut trees, eg Pecan trees) |
![It is tempting to interpret this kaleidoscope of butterflies (yes, that is what it is called!) as the transformation of the batch of caterpillars in the previous image. But no - these butterflies are Hackberry Emperors (not Walnut Caterpillar Moths). In fact...](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659743.40de0a99.JPEG) PXL_20220920_142555299b.jpgIt is tempting to interpret this kaleidoscope of butterflies (yes, that is what it is called!) as the transformation of the batch of caterpillars in the previous image. But no - these butterflies are Hackberry Emperors (not Walnut Caterpillar Moths). In fact... |
![... There are the caterpillars peeking around from the other side of the tree!](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659812.572169c4.JPEG) PXL_20220920_142542500b.jpg... There are the caterpillars peeking around from the other side of the tree! |
![(3.1 Weeks): There are insect cliques forming, here in the sunset glow. Although the butterflies and the beetles seem happy to mingle at the ole sap-hole, the flies have gathered at a distance, but still in the dripline of the sap.](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659744.9df85b08.JPEG) PXL_20220921_235936121b.jpg(3.1 Weeks): There are insect cliques forming, here in the sunset glow. Although the butterflies and the beetles seem happy to mingle at the ole sap-hole, the flies have gathered at a distance, but still in the dripline of the sap. |
![(4 Weeks): The Hackberry Emperors are taking seriously their identity as a Kaleidoscope of Butterflies! And - are they worried about wasp sneaking in from below?](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659745.851e13a5.JPEG) PXL_20220928_002051331b.jpg(4 Weeks): The Hackberry Emperors are taking seriously their identity as a Kaleidoscope of Butterflies! And - are they worried about wasp sneaking in from below? |
![(5 Weeks): We've had a changing of the guard! A group of Bumble Flower Scarab beetles (I'm not kidding!) has moved in for the next frothy treat. Plus a fly or two.](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659746.f495fff9.JPEG) PXL_20221005_000617479b.jpg(5 Weeks): We've had a changing of the guard! A group of Bumble Flower Scarab beetles (I'm not kidding!) has moved in for the next frothy treat. Plus a fly or two. |
![(6.4 Weeks): One of the Bumble Flower Scarabs remains, and has been joined by several smaller beetles, Dark Flower Scarabs. (I can't make this stuff up).
And notice - on the right side edge of the tree, there is a tiny beetle stalking a larger beetle...](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659747.ea9ed4e8.JPEG) PXL_20221014_175820695b.jpg(6.4 Weeks): One of the Bumble Flower Scarabs remains, and has been joined by several smaller beetles, Dark Flower Scarabs. (I can't make this stuff up).
And notice - on the right side edge of the tree, there is a tiny beetle stalking a larger beetle... |
![It is a cucumber beetle taking his pet Scarab for a walk. I think.](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659749.1f6e6d5c.JPEG) PXL_20221014_175845917b.jpgIt is a cucumber beetle taking his pet Scarab for a walk. I think. |
![Looking more closely at the the group of sap-sipping Scarabs... I believe there is one in there who has done this before, gotten the foam all over his face, and now has a nice face ornament of dried sap to show for it!](https://a4.pbase.com/g13/39/447839/3/173659748.cf2fab88.JPEG) PXL_20221014_175820695c.jpgLooking more closely at the the group of sap-sipping Scarabs... I believe there is one in there who has done this before, gotten the foam all over his face, and now has a nice face ornament of dried sap to show for it! |
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