Have you seen either of these two interesting six-legged friends in your area?
Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
This butterfly species has mastered both camouflage and mimicry! The spots on the adult's wings mimic the eyes of a much larger creature and can scare predators away. Their eggs are light green and blend in perfectly with the leaves they are laid on. Their chrysalises actually vary in color to match their environment! If they are formed in bright light, they will be light-colored. If they are formed in the shade with low light, they will be darker in color!
Leaf Footed Bug (Acanthocephala terminalis)
This large insect can look rather intimidating, but it is actually harmless to humans and animals. It is an herbivore, and its mouth is specially designed to eat plants. It has a beak, or rostrum, that acts like a needle to pierce a plant's leaf or bark and suck out juices from inside. Although it is possible for this bug to prey on garden plants, it is uncommon, and they are usually not considered a garden pest.
