המועדפים של tethydoros

These small Acmaeodera were common on prickly-pear flowers. Most were on the order of 5 to 7 mm long.
The yellow elytral markings were quite variable but usually formed a fairly complete dorsal-lateral stripe which is slightly curved/bowed in the proximal half.
On 27 pages of Acmaeodera on BG (about 130 spp illustrated), I'm not finding a particularly close match to anything. Based on the key and illustrations in Hansen (2023; link on BG), this may be some form of A. neglecta or A. neoneglecta.

No idea what these are. Small, 1-2cm at most, what looks like some highly evolved insect larva. Has a conical twig like body with some blotchy patterning, with legs coming out the end like a hermit crab. Retracts when disturbed. In a woodland seasonal stream.