Another Little Frustration

  Back during the winter (or as I call it "lack of winter"), Son needed to use the table saw that was in the back yard by the shed.  Since he had been using it every day or so, he would not move it back into the shed but, rather, would cover it well.  When he went to remove the cover, there were hundreds of leaf-footed bugs hiding beneath the cover.  They were a bit surprised that their overwintering spot had been discovered and scattered about the place before I could douse them with bug spray.  I hate those things!  They ruin more tomatoes than any other critter.  Well, almost.  This year, the squirrels have hauled off about half of my tomatoes but, still, the leaf-footed bugs do their damage, as well.

  This year, I have been fortunate as to not see nearly as many of the bugs as in the past.  Today was the first day that I spied four or five on the tomato plants.  Well, whoopee-doo!  The tomatoes are all gone for the moment so the bugs may be a tad discouraged.  These bugs have piercing, sucking mouth parts that would blotch each tomato before it ripened.  Hopefully, they will be so downhearted that they will move elsewhere!

  The leaf-footed bugs are true bugs.  They are distant kin to those nasty stinkbugs and, like them, do emit a foul odor when squished.  This afternoon, I smacked three of them and the stench was pretty bad.  At least, I managed to get rid of those!  If you look closely at the above photograph, you can see why the bugs are named as such.  They have a flared growth on their hind legs which gives them a leaf-footed appearance.  While I am pleased that I have not seen too many this year, I really could do without them altogether!  Go away, bug!!