Spring is said to be the season of love, and I guess that’s true, at least for parts of the insect world. While out searching for butterflies last week, I came across several pairs of these leaf-footed bugs (Leptoglossus phyllopus) that were breeding in the purple thistle plants. There were also quite a few singles in and around the plants, I’m sure trying to find mates (although thistles are also one of their preferred foods). The bugs seem to like the thistles for breeding since they provide plenty of protection from predators (and nosy photographers). They also didn’t seem to appreciate my interference, so I tried to bother them as little as possible. Still, it was very interesting watching them moving around in the plant either mating or searching for mates. Before long, there will be little leaf-footed bug nymphs running around.