Just Eat The Aphids Already!

     It was a bit disappointing to see tiny aphids hatching out in the garden.  Most folks would douse the garden with insecticides but that is not an option in my garden.  No chemicals!  Anyway, the aphid babies were pretty much making a mess of things all the while I pondered the best method of removal.  Then, I spied my answer.  Creepy crawling on the pea plants were ladybugs...or, at least ladybugs of sorts.  Asian Beetles with their happy Ws on their heads were invading the garden!  Who cares where these critters came from as long as they eat the aphids!

  Supposedly, the easy way to tell the difference in Asian Beetles and Ladybugs is by a clear W on the head of the Asian variety.  Our local critters don't have that monogram.  To be honest, it matters not.  They are all Ladybird Beetles just from different areas and they all eat aphids.  Oh, happy day!

  

What a Change!

  First impressions can be deceiving.  That old fable about the ugly duckling transforming into a beautiful swan rings true more oft than not.  In the insect world, nymphs and larvae can be down right creepy looking.  They usually have spines, markings that look like extra eyes or even mimic venomous critters.  This is all a bit of self preservation designed by Mother Nature to make sure that the little squirts actually make it to maturity.  Sometimes those critters don't get much prettier but with some, the transformation is incredible.  Dragonfly larvae are about some of the creepiest looking critters alive but once they morph into adults, their looks change drastically.  Caterpillars turning to lovely butterflies is another example of the "Ugly Duckling" miracle.

  This morning, Son called my attention to a critter crawling on the rim of a large bucket used in the garden.  Obviously, the insect did not have a lot of intelligence as it kept on its endless journey around the circular top without stop.  Round and round and round it went as if on some epic trek.  We pondered just what the critter was.  It was not the prettiest thing around, for sure.  I was positive that it was the nymph of either a ladybug or of an Asian beetle.  Both bugs are actually sort of ladybugs and  look similar so it only stood to reason that the nymphs would, too.  I just could not figure which critter was doing the hiking.

  After a bit, we decided that this must be an Asian beetle as we have seen more of those than the ladybugs.  Just a few days prior this sighting, we were wishing a swarm of ladybugs would find the aphids in the pear trees but none came.  Perhaps the Asian beetles will feast upon the same aphids, that is, if this goofy nymph ever completes its journey around the bucket rim.

A Buggy Sort of Day

  Early this morning, Mark and I made a trek to the pier.  It was a gorgeous day and felt grand to be outside....before the rains start again tomorrow.  While there, I noticed that the Groundsel Bushes were starting to bud and there were a number of False Ladybugs crawling about them.  (I say false because these are the Asian Beetles that have more white on their heads that the Ladybugs)  On closer inspection, those beetles were there merely because of an infestation of aphids.  The tiny aphids had obviously just hatched as they were still relatively small. The beetles were making quick work of the little varmints, though, so all was well.  I am good as long as the Asian Beetles are behaving nicely and not causing problems.  They do eat a number of garden pests and are rather cute.  The only downside is that they will overwinter in cracks and crevices in the house and that they BITE!  Not that one has ever bitten me but folks have told me that they have received a nasty (albeit small) bite from a beetle when the bug was handled.  Dozens of the critters were on the bush and I handled quite a few...no bites.  Maybe I just taste bad.

  Anyway, as we were watching the aphid-munching fest, I noticed another denizen of the Groundsel Bush.  A tiny caterpillar was busy with his own breakfast.  This caterpillar was rather unusually beautiful for a glorified "worm".   It was sort of bronze in color with a hint of blues and greens.  A sheen of gold made it sort of metallic looking.  The caterpillar really was unlike any that reside in the garden.  As I was photographing the one, Mark called my attention to dozens of other caterpillars.  The look-a-like critters were all filling their bellies with the new growth on the bush.

  One would think that such a lovely caterpillar would surely morph into something as equally lovely.  Perhaps this was the forerunner of a gorgeous butterfly or majestic moth.  Not so...this is the caterpillar that morphs into none other than the Groundsel Bush Beetle.  The beetle, itself, is not particularly showy.  It has a greenish yellow head with a few black dots and black wings edged with the same green/yellow.  I will have to wait a few weeks to get a photograph of the adult as none were present today.

  As its name suggests, the Groundsel Bush Beetle loves to munch on the leaves of the Groundsel Bush.  Since this is so, the beetle was actually introduced in parts of the world where the Groundsel Bush was becoming a nuisance or invasive plant.  It only takes a short while for the caterpillars to totally strip a bush of its new leaves.  If the bush was weakened by a severely cold winter or other disease, this defoliating would bring sure death to the shrub.  Here the bushes do well.  They love the brackish waters of the Bayou and multiply like crazy.  It does not bother me to see the caterpillars stripping the bush near the pier.  

  As long as the aphids, Asian Beetles and Groundsel Bush Beetles all stay down near the marsh edge and do not make an attempt to munch my garden, I am happy.  They can live in peace and I will have plenty of subjects to photograph.  Be happy, little bugs...just do not be happy in my gardens!

An Invasion of Cuteness....Or Foresight is a Lifesaver!

  After doing my chores today, I settled in at my desk to write the backstory for this October's clue hunt.  I figure it is never too early to get started so I did.  Actually, I have been working on ideas since this past November but getting them all down in story form took until today.  I was just happy to be making a bit of progress!  Things were going dandy until suddenly...kerplop!  Yep...kerplop!  A bug smacked my hand. Hmmm?  I picked up the critter and released it outside.  Alrighty then!  

  Living on a bayou, one gets accustomed to critters crawling about the place.  I have no qualms about snatching up a bug and letting it be free unless it is one of the more unsavory sort.  Those I smash...a quick and effective method of eradication.  At first glance, I thought this was a Ladybug so without second guessing myself, the bug went free.  I returned to my seat and started typing once again.  Kerplop.  Yep, another bug landed on me.  This one became entangled in the hair and let its smelly stench about it when I tried to free it. Ugh!  Another one went out the door.  This time, the foresight kicked in and I quickly covered my mug of grapefruit juice.  The coaster now became a lid!  No need in allowing the bugs a free swim lesson!  About four bugs later, my thoughtfulness paid off!  A critter landed smack dab on top of the coaster I was using as a lid!  Whew!  It was then that I realized that there was indeed a problem.  I was being invaded by the cutest critters even though I do believe I released a bunch of "False Ladybugs".  (And that may prove to be detrimental to my gardening!) Still, it was an invasion of cuteness!

  Seventeem bugs later, I decided that the vacuum cleaner would make the job easier.  Somehow, the critters must have overwintered in my walls and the warm sunshine brought them out in hoards.  A good many had the smarts to escape to freedom by going on the outside of the window screen but dozens upon dozens made their way inside through my open windows.  Outside, the Yellow-rumped Warblers were having a heyday!  Even the foul smell that the Ladybugs emit when threatened did not deter the birds.  Several of the warblers even hung around until after dark to snatch up any hapless bugs.  I only wish a couple of those birds would have ventured inside to do the job!