Mating Spotted Asparagus Beetles

At long last, I got out for a botany walk two days ago, 23 July 2014. Having been to this location several times before, I knew it was a short, easy, flat trail, and that I could go as far as I wanted and then turn back early, which is what I did. The main thing I wanted to see were the Nodding /Musk Thistles, as these are my favourite species of Thistle. They are called a "weed", but I love to see them. The sun was unfortunately in the wrong direction, so I was only able to get a handful of shots, but better than nothing.

After a volunteer shift that day, I wasn't too far away from the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area, where the walk was going to be held. With a couple of hours to "kill", I spent them at the Reader Rock Garden, which was just a few minutes' drive away from the botany walk location.

At the Erlton / Roxboro Natural Area, I found this pair of tiny Spotted Asparagus Beetles (Crioceris duodecimpunctata), on an Asparagus plant. The colourful beetles are 1/4 of an inch long, and they are pests of Asparagus plants.

The Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area is located on the east side of the Elbow River above the southwest community of Roxboro. It was completed in 1996. This is one of the richest areas in Calgary for wildlowers, but unfortunately, many non-native plants and shrubs have taken over much of the area - such as Caragana, Goat's-beard, Baby's Breath, and Yellow Clematis. I think I heard that 90% of the area is now weed-covered, which is such a great pity. Some of the plants, such as Baby's Breath, were introduced into the area by someone throwing a discarded cemetery bouquet of flowers from a grave site, over the fence and into the Natural Area. Incredible how just one small action like this can devastate a whole natural area.