Day 342: If I was relying entirely on my field guides, I might have misidentified this critter. However, I have BugGuide's assurance that it is a Conchuela Bug, Chlorochroa ligata, aka a whoppingly large member of the stinkbug clan. By midafternoon, the Woolly Bear of my Sept. 16 post had given over possession of this milkweed leaf to Conchuela. Was it the odor which drove the Woolly Bear away? Phermones work both ways. And surprisingly, Conchuela is still on the leaf this morning, three days later. I don't see any signs that it's been chewing, though. I'll admit I didn't check to see if it was dead or alive. If it's still out there tonight, I'll investigate more closely. Conchuelas are often found on blackberry vines at this time of year and are one of our more common stinkbugs.
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