The Showy Milkweeds blossoms have wilted for the most part and seed pods are plentiful and green. In another couple of weeks, we'll see them turn brown and burst open, releasing seeds for next year's crop. Today I saw what might have been my last Red Milkweed Beetle of the season perched on the tip of a leaf where it had apparently just finished laying eggs. I tipped it into the palm of my hand for another photo and it didn't move. I pushed it around a bit and decided it was quite dead. I assumed it had died recently while clinging to the leaf.
Lots of beetles will "play possum" when you put them in your hand, but they'll re-activate fairly soon afterwards and try to crawl away. Not this time. R. I. P.
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