Molting Assassin Bug

   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!

Killers On The Prowl!

   September usually sees the garden filled with insects.  While a lot of these are classified as "garden pests", there are equally as many that are garden helpers.   They are there simply to munch on the pesky sort.  The turmeric plants are a good four feet in height now with leaves approximately eight inches wide.  A myriad of critters can easily hide in this tropical-like forest!  Lizards, frogs, ribbon snakes...all have been found there.  They are there simply because of the multitude of bugs that can be an easy meal.  There is also a lovely bug that is hunting for its meal, as well. 

  This morning, the bright orange Milkweed Assassin Bugs were on the prowl.  These expert killers are hunting insects that are on the plants to either eat or lay eggs.  They are Mother Nature's "insecticide".  These bugs keep things in check so there will not be an overabundance of other critters.  Most of the ones I found this morning were still juveniles that were just getting their wings.  They still had the white spots on their bodies.  

  I rather enjoy having the critters in the garden but keep in mind that Milkweed Assassin Bugs can and will bite if handled.  Their bite is not unlike a bee sting in pain level comparisons.  The only main difference is the lack of toxins.  The Assassin Bug's defense is just a bite...nothing more.  While the wound site may have a welt that lingers for a bit, there is no real danger.  That said, it is wise to avoid one and let it go on its merry way.  That way, the bug can do its job of eating all the pests.

This "Insecticide" Really Works!

  A couple of weeks ago, I found a young assassin bug climbing around on the ruby lilies.  It was stealthily hunting any critter that it could subdue with its one long fang.  I watched and pondered how that single fang could be so deadly and how the bug caught its prey.  The critter was bright orange which would surely alert other insects to its whereabouts so camouflage was not a big help here.  The bug went from plant to plant in search of something for supper.

  This week, the chive blossoms have lured many insects to the herb garden.  Along with the moths and bees, there were a number of assassin bugs sipping nectar.  As I watched and photographed insects, a life drama was unfolding before my eyes.  One assassin bug eased its way nearer and nearer to a small bee.  The bee was so engrossed in the nectar that it did not notice the bug until it was too late.  The assassin bug grabbed the bee and started to plunge that fang into it.  Again and again, the ruthless act was repeated by the bug.  The poor bee tried to twist and turn so it could sting the bug but there was no hope.  The assassin bug held tight and soon had stabbed the bee enough to mortally wound it.  Then, it began to devour the inner parts of the bee.  

  While I felt sorry for the bee, I was happy to see that the assassin bug was doing its job.  Many folks see these little, orange bugs and immediately pull out the insecticides.  I see them AS the insecticide.  I figure that I will just let Mother Nature handle this job even though it cost a bee its life. 

If Only Critters Could Talk!

  I managed to slip out into the garden early this morning and was surprised to see how many critters had taken a liking to the chive blossoms.  Usually, the white blossoms are covered with lovebugs but this year there were only a few but joining them was a whole slew of other bugs!  Milkweed bugs, ailanthus webworm moths, longtailed skippers, assassin bugs, honeybees, bumblebees and even mosquitoes were busy on the blossoms.  Those were the ones I recognized.  Many more were flitting and crawling about the flowers.  Some, I was able to photograph.  Others were far too fast!  And then there were those that were too shy to stick around long enough for me to steady the camera in their direction.

  Finding so many different critters interested in the chive blossoms made me curious as to their nectar.  Is that stuff sweeter than say the roses that were blooming just a few feet away?  Does it taste better than the morning glories that fill the fence a directly behind the chive garden?  Are moonflowers, lilies and crepe myrtle blooms just not good enough for the bugs?  To me, the blossoms always tasted garlicky...these are garlic chives, after all.  So what is the big attraction here?  If only critters could talk!

Don't Go By Appearances

  Ever wonder why they say "Do not judge a book by its cover!"?  There is good reason.  First, with people even the dowdiest of us can have a good heart while those dressed to the nines with all of the niceties of life can have an underlying mean streak.  It does not depend on what you look like, what you wear or who you pretend to be, the truth of your being lies in how you treat others.  It is best to just not judge at all methinks.

  In the critter world, the same can be said about some of the most evil-looking ones out there.  A critter does not have to be flashy, sweet-looking or be as innocent as a lamb to be helpful.  (Good thing about critters, however, is that they do not pretend to be anything but what they are and they don't expect you to be anything but who you are.)  Some can be our allies without ever making an effort to shout out how good they are.  Once such critter has been dubbed a quite fierce name and can bite the bejeebies out of you but is still to be considered a friend.  In the garden today, I found such an ally.  The critter quietly climbed on a ruby lily leaf as it hunted.  While I was watering the plants, I had a "bird's eye view" of the creature and was fully amazed at its stealth.  Slowly, it went from plant to plant completely oblivious to my presence. 

  The critter was an Assassin Bug.  Even though this critter can pack a punch with its bite, it usually will try to avoid a person.  They have no interest in humans because they are far too big to eat! The Assassin Bug has a rather large fang (yes, just one) that it uses to repeatedly stab its prey.  Once caught, that prey is held tightly with the Assassin Bug's long front legs as it jabs and stabs it.  Then, it sucks the insides out of the dead insect.  So, how is this helpful?  It reduces the need for insecticides in the garden.  Assassin Bugs do not eat plants...they eat destructive insects that wreak havoc on the garden.  

  The rather mean looking Assassin Bug is a true friend.  Its appearance lets on that it is one thing but its actions reveal its true worth.  Too bad people cannot see that.  Too bad people cannot see that about other people.  Folks, just be nice.  It does not cost anything, does not take much of your time and the rewards are plenteous.  Don't judge a book (or anything else, for that matter) by its cover.