Milkweed plants are a favorite among gardeners and nature lovers, especially because they support monarch butterflies. But if you’ve noticed bright orange and black bugs on your milkweed, you’re likely seeing Oncopeltus fasciatus, commonly called the large milkweed bug.

Discover why deciduous plants—from trees to vines like poison ivy—shed their leaves each fall. Learn how light, hormones, and seasonal changes trigger this natural cycle of dormancy and renewal.

If you’ve ever walked past a grapevine and noticed the leaves looking more like lace than greenery, you may have stumbled upon the work of the Eastern Grapeleaf Skeletonizer (Harrisina americana). These small, spiky caterpillars may be tiny, but they leave a big mark—literally. From their bristly defenses that can irritate your skin, to their habit of feeding in groups and turning grape leaves into skeletons, these insects are full of surprising quirks.