It seems that I post a good bit about the insects around here. We have plenty. Some wreak havoc. Termites and eastern lubber grasshoppers are both on my "bad" list. I am not a fan of either. Also on that list are yellow jackets but I have not come in contact with any of those yet this year...yet. I hope I do not. They have nasty tempers! We do, however, have some "good" insects and I have found myself fully appreciating those. Just a couple of days ago, I found that assassin bug creepy-crawling on the turmeric leaves. I was elated to see more of them today. A lot of folks think I am nuts loving these bugs since they can give a painful bite. The assassin bug has one large fang that it is not afraid to use when it feels it is in danger. That piercing fang hurts! Still, I am always excited to find the critters and never dream of killing them.
Today, one assassin nymph was in the process of molting. I found it on the fox grape vines. Later, I found one living up to its name. Back in the herb garden, one had caught a fly and was sucking the life from it. Let's return to that one molting, though. I always find it fascinating to watch how insects can actually climb out of their exoskeleton and become a larger critter. I suppose not many folks take the time to view this but it is quite the undertaking for the critter and puts it in danger. While molting, an insect is rather soft and vulnerable to any larger predators. It has absolutely no defense at this stage and cannot even make a run for it. The critter is literally "stuck" there until it manages to wiggle free and then "harden".
Most likely, others would purely see the critters as "just another pest" and try to eradicate them. Not me! I figure to let these predators live and flourish in the gardens. They are free pest control and eat a lot of insects that would love to dine upon my cabbages!
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