Apr 24, 2009
Insects are cold-blooded so their temperature coincides with their environment.
Before the sun rises, they lie ever so still. As the sun warms them, they stir ever so slowly.
At 6 a.m. yesterday, we checked the roses for aphids (yes, they were there) and so were the predators: the soldier beetles and ladybugs.
A soldier beetle crawled to the edge of a leaf. A ladybug cartwheeled over a leaf and then clung to the tip.
Breakfast is ready!
Attached Images:
![EARLY MORNING SUN warms an aphid. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) EARLY MORNING SUN warms an aphid. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1637.jpg)
Aphid in early morning sun
![WHERE'S BREAKFAST? A soldier beetle searches for aphids on a rose bush. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) WHERE'S BREAKFAST? A soldier beetle searches for aphids on a rose bush. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1638.jpg)
Soldier Beetle
![QUICK TURN--A ladybug executes a quick turn on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) QUICK TURN--A ladybug executes a quick turn on a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1639.jpg)
Quick Turn
![UPSIDE DOWN--A ladybug scoots under a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey) UPSIDE DOWN--A ladybug scoots under a rose leaf. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/bugsquad/blogfiles/1640.jpg)
Upside Down