Answers!

Thanks to Steve at balhoghblog I have the answer to the bug question, it is in fact a milkweed longhorn. I had never seen one before now because I never had any milkweed growing on the property...until this year, I planted butterfly milkweed, about 8 feet from where this picture was taken. Unfortunately this is not one of those bugs that would be considered beneficial to either its host or neighbors from what I understand. Grrrrr.

So it just goes to show you that increasing the diversity of your plantings will increase beneficials, but also attract a few shall we say....less than desirable bugs as well.

If you are interested in a really seedy picture of buglove by all means, follow the link. When you're done, go check out Steve's blog as well as groovygreen.com, of which he is a contributor.