Posts Tagged: Los Angeles Times

The Hitchhiker

Oleander aphids, those cartoonish-looking yellow insects with black legs and cornicles, are commonly found on oleanders. Hence their name. But they also are partial to milkweeds, the host plant of the monarch butterfly. It's a daily challenge to rid...

A lady beetle picks up a hitchhiker, an oleander aphid. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A lady beetle picks up a hitchhiker, an oleander aphid. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

One on the back and one in the mouth. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

One on the back and one in the mouth. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The oleander aphid maintains its hold on the back of its predator, a lady beetle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The oleander aphid maintains its hold on the back of its predator, a lady beetle. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The lady beetle prepares for take-off, with the oleander aphid still clinging to its back. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The lady beetle prepares for take-off, with the oleander aphid still clinging to its back. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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