Nonie correctly identified last week’s mystery seed pod as being from a mesquite.
We commonly call them screwbean mesquites because of the spiraling seed pod. The scientific name is Prosopis pubescens. These mesquites are small trees. They have lovely yellow flowers.
For more information and photographs, see The University of Arizona’s Master Gardener page on Screwbean Mesquite
These true bugs hang out in our native desert willow and mesquite trees, where they are hard to spot on the tree bark.
They are called shield or stink bugs. The “stink” name comes from the fact they have scent glands that release an odor when they are disturbed.
This one is probably Brochymena sulcata. It has an almost pleasant cinnamon odor when you pick it up.
The shield name comes from the shield shape in the middle of its back. We’d like to learn more about them, but they tend to keep quite well hidden.
Starting this week, I am going to add the mystery seed as a separate post, because it seems they are getting lost at the bottom of the answer posts.
Actually, once again, this is a seed pod. Any guesses?
Edit:Â See answer post.
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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