LuLu and I were playing in the yard the other night when LuLu spotted the neighbor cutting hay. She would point and announce “I see it!” each time she would see the cab and smoke stack of the tractor over the top of the corn between us and the hay field. It lasted for about 15 minutes until she was distracted by Pip and headed off to the front porch. I didn’t think much of it until next morning.

Our New Visitors

I’m guessing these guys were hanging out in the hay field. Once it was cut, they needed to find a new home. I think they’re Cucumber Beetles – at least some of them – which means I’m afraid they’re going to like their new home and have no plans on leaving any time soon.

Cucumber Beetle – Click Image For Photo Credit

True to their name, they’ve already done a number on the cucumber vines.

Beetle Damage

Besides the cucumbers vines, they found the summer squash, zucchini, and velvet leaf tasty. (No, I’m not growing velvet leaf in the garden – I’m just a tab behind on weeding and now it seems to be handy to have as a bug distraction.) They haven’t touched the tomatoes or the pepper plants yet. I’m just happy they haven’t found the kiddos pumpkin patch yet. I’m pretty sure that even Pip couldn’t guard against these intruders.