Insects on Jerusalem Artichokes

Jagged Ambush Bug (Phymata)

Every bug hunter I know keeps their eyes out for Jagged ambush bugs in late summer when the goldenrod blooms. They are so bizarre! They even have different appearances, like chameleons, depending on what the plant they settle into for their ambush. I've seen them bright yellow like black-eyed susans. Jody and I were very surprised to find this on a Jerusalem artichoke leaf.

Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)

As I prepared an earlier post about Jerusalem artichokes, I saw the different species of insects I had found on them. I thought it would be fun to collect them in one post.

Tiny unidentified wasp

Jerusalem artichokes are late bloomers. In Barton they bloom just before and after the first frosts. We've had many heavy frosts so far this October and late September. That's why I wanted to have these plants! But that is not what happened (see the article linked above).

Common Eastern Bumble Bee
(Bombus impatiens)

 Aphids (Tribe Macrosiphini)

There weren't as many insects as I had hoped to find on the artichokes. That could be a function of their height, however, which prevented me from looking at them often. And usually, I never even checked them for bugs. Because I couldn't.  🤷

_/\_/\_