OK, I’m stumped after looking on the web and leafing through my copy of Powell and Hogue. There were about half a dozen of these guys on a patch of alyssum out front, in the sun, at around 11:00 am. Any guesses?

1. 
   lavalamp 2006 10 09 at 11:15:02 pm

   Murgantia histrionica

   Harlequin bug (nymph stage)

   http://www.insectimages.org/browse/subthumb.cfm?sub=8049&start=1

2. 
   Chris Clarke 2006 10 10 at 12:38:08 am

   That’s it. Thanks, lavalamp!

3. 
   Chris Clarke 2006 10 10 at 2:24:48 am

   Wheeeee!
   http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=2000232694&tstart=0&mod=1159685256371

4. 
   Chris Clarke 2006 10 10 at 2:25:52 am

   Whoops. Sorry, Chris. The last (and this) was not Chris, it’s Craig using Chris’ laptop. Chris wouldn’t post something that childish.

5. 
   Auguste 2006 10 10 at 5:08:40 am

   Man.

   I thought I was a bit squeamish about bugs, but dear God, what is wrong with those people on eBay?

6. 
   lavalamp 2006 10 10 at 9:01:23 pm

   That’s it. Thanks, lavalamp!

   
   so whadda I win, mister? 

   
   TV?

   ipod?

   gift card?

   chocolate bunny?

   
   .......<crickets>

7. 
   Elissa Feit 2006 10 11 at 3:08:29 am

   You could win crickets, but how about some beetles instead.