Preparing for Takeoff!

[best appreciated at full size against black]

This little guy was found walking up and down long stems of straw and here he's arrived at the perfect spot to open his wings and fly away! Awwww...don't go! The party was just starting!!

Cucumber beetles come in both a striped and spotted variety, though we've only seen the spotted ones around here. They may resemble ladybugs, but they are not beneficial and instead, are very destructive to crops and ornamental plants, including their namesake, cucumbers. If you would like to know more about these beautiful beetles, Wiki has a page here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cucumber_beetle

This image was taken in March, 2012.