Two bugs (and part of a third) on a fading Texas thistle flower head

The bug on the right appears to be Leptoglossus phyllopus, the eastern leaf-footed bug. I don’t know what the one on the left is, but perhaps it’s an earlier stage of the same species. Wikipedia notes that “This bug may enter houses when the weather turns colder and likes to make a home for itself in beds,” so happy snuggling this winter to those of you in its range. The flower head that seems to be fading before having opened is a Texas thistle, Cirsium texanum, which I hope you don’t find in your bed at any time of year. If you’d like a reminder of how pretty one of these thistles can be when it does flourish, you’re welcome to take a look.

I took this picture in Great Hills Park on June 20th during the same outing that brought you the picture of the strange Mexican hat with an extra set of ray flowers sprouting from the tip of its column.

© 2014 Steven Schwartzman