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The ripe fruit of a pokeweed proved irresistible to the ladybirds.
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9 comments

Andy Rodker said:

Had a quick look on google, as I've never heard of Pokeweed before now. Apparently poisonous but not so according to these ladybirds! A very fine capture!
18 months ago

Andrew Trundlewagon replied to Andy Rodker:

Hi Andy,
Yes it's supposed to be poisonous. I wouldn't try it! But birds and insects don't seem to be harmed by it. I guess they have industrial strength digestive systems.
18 months ago

Ronald Losure said:

This is a different plant than what we in Mississippi call pokeweed. The beetles obviously love it.
18 months ago

Andrew Trundlewagon replied to Ronald Losure:

Hi Ronald,
Yes, that's right, this is Indian Pokeweed which is an imported species. It originates from the Himalayas so it is well suited to a cold climate. I have no idea where this one came from, I guess it must have escaped from a garden. The more typical American pokeweed grows here but it is not very common.
18 months ago

©UdoSm said:

Unbelievable how the bugs fall over the fruits and suck them out...
A great photo.
18 months ago

Andrew Trundlewagon replied to ©UdoSm:

Hi Udo, Yes, once they find something they like they won't stop until it is decimated.
18 months ago

Ronald Losure replied to Andrew Trundlewagon:

Thanks for the information, Andrew.
18 months ago

dgmphoto said:

Great example of capturing behaviour.
18 months ago

Andrew Trundlewagon replied to dgmphoto:

Hi dgm, thanks. I didn't know they ate berries until this, I always thought they were carnivores.
18 months ago