Some of our smallest park visitors.⁠ ...⁠ 1. Monarch caterpillar on Asclepias verticillata (whorled milkweed) Monarchs are an endangered species, and whorled milkweed is deemed threatened on the New York Rare Plant Status List. Milkweeds are the host plant to the Monarch butterfly, and support butterfly populations in the city.⁠ ...⁠ 2. Locust borer on Solidago speciosa (showy goldenrod) Showy goldenrod is an important pollinator plant that is covered in pollinators this time of year. The Locust borer—a native pest of black locust trees—feeds on goldenrod pollen in the fall and then lay its eggs under the bark scales of black locust trees.⁠ ...⁠ 3. Differential grasshopper on Aster sp. (Aster) Differential grasshoppers are considered a garden pest by some, and can be easily identified by the black chevron markings on their legs.⁠ ...⁠ 4. Carolina mantis on Aster sp. (Aster) Carolina mantis is the only native mantis species present in New York! Though small, it's a natural predator and might even be considered a predator to the spotted lanternfly.⁠ ...⁠ 📷: @timothyschenck