12 July 2025

This week we found berries and bugs in the city parks.

Wineberries (Rubus phoenicolasius) are very prickly invasive plants with bright red berries sticky to the touch. Good luck plucking the berries. The entire plant, including sepals, is covered in needle-like thorns that make it difficult for birds and animals to get at the fruit. The only thornless spots are the yellow-orange stubs left behind where berries came off (above).

July is definitely bug season.

Every year I’m amazed at how many aphids cling to the false sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides) in Schenley Park. Sometimes I find ants guarding the aphids though not yet. However …

… this closeup of the flower reveals two insects and a yellow critter. A spider?

This week I saw a lot of red nymph spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula), the last stage before they become adults. I expect the adults to start flying next week. I’ll miss seeing the first ones while I’m away on vacation, but they’re sure to “greet” me when I return.