David Mathre Photography

Insects and Spiders

  • Mating Pair of False Milkweed Bugs on a False Sunflower Leaf (15-May-2025)

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    David Mathre
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    Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

    Even before it was officially spring, I’ve been seeing lots of what I thought were Milkweed Bugs. It didn’t really make any sense since the Milkweed hadn’t even started growing yet. Today, I took a macro image of a mating pair of the bugs and did a visual search on Bing. The search pointed me to Lygaeus turcicus, the False Milkweed Bug. The False Milkweed Bug feeds on seeds of the False Sunflower. Last year I had a large patch of False Sunflower plants next to the house. The False Sunflower plants apparently do a good job of self-seeding, since there are even more of the plants this year and they are already 3 feet high. It is a section that for several years I had a hard time of growing anything being under a Sycamore tree. The Sycamore tree died (anthracnose) so the section now does get more sun. This pair of False Milkweed Bugs are mating on a False Sunflower leaf.

    False Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus turcicus). Image taken with a Hasselblad X2d camera and 38 mm f/2.5 lens with a 9 mm macro extension tube (ISO 3200, f/11, 1/160 sec).

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I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time observing and photographing the plants and animals while expanding a wildflower garden/meadow in the backyard. When the sky is clear, I have telescopes viewing the night sky.

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False Milkweed Bug False Sunflower Macro Macro Extension Tube Monarch Butterfly New Jersey Springtime

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