That's FALSE!

  Sometimes we can be mistaken about things and the best thing to do is research the subject to find the facts.  I did just that today.  The Bayou Princess Cat has been ill and needed to go to the Pet Hospital.  That involves getting her in the carrier case which is quite the ordeal.  First the crate had to be retrieved from the shed attic and cleaned.  It was that cleaning that gave me the first inkling that I needed to do a bit of fact-finding.  In the carrier, there was a critter.  A rather unusual looking bug was staring back up at me.  Well, now!  Just who are you, bug?

  The bug was flipped out of the carrier and onto the floor.  It stared at me as if to say "Woman!  Why are you evicting me?  What have I ever done to you?"  The bug did not look particularly mean so I had intentions of letting it go outside.  While it sat still for a photograph, that critter could move when it wanted!  Now, instead of cleaning the cat crate, I was hopping around the kitchen trying to catch a critter!  While I had no intentions of killing the thing, I sure did not want it in the house!  After a good many fruitless attempts, I was finally able to capture said bug and toss it out the back door.  Then...then!  I had second thoughts!  What if that was another of those critters that eat garden plants??  Time to investigate yet another bug.

  Well, thankfully, this was not a garden pest.  This critter is called a False Bombardier Beetle.  (Yeah, I felt bad for the bug, too.  It cannot even get a "true" name...False Bombardier Beetle.  Crazy!)  It seems that this is one of those critters that use mimicry to keep from being eaten.  The (true) Bombardier Beetle shoots some pretty toxic substances at its predators (and humans) but our little buggy just pretends to be the other so it will not be eaten!  After finding out it was harmless, I read further to discover that this is actually one that is good for the garden!  It seems that our little "false" friend eats garden pests...especially caterpillars and larval stage bugs (like those squash bugs and cabbage worms!)  Well now, Little False One, you can live happily in the garden because you will definitely catch more caterpillars there than in the cat crate!

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. 

Bayou Secrets!

  It seems as if the Bayou is full of the most interesting things.  At least, I find them interesting.  Others probably do not but then, again, Son says I am easily amused...maybe?   The most recent find is, not only interesting, but also weird!  To be totally honest, I am not sure what it is!  Yes, I realize it is a skeleton but...

  While on the pier, I nearly stepped on what appeared at first glance to be some strange bug.  I quickly picked up my foot to realize that this was not a living creature (was one but no longer).  It was a skeleton of something rather "fishy".  It made sense that this is a fish skeleton of some sort but what was it doing on the pier and what type fish had these bones?  I have no clue to either question.  Being only about three inches long, the thing greatly resembled a creepy bug!  The (what I am assuming were) ribs splayed out in strange positions.  Whether this was how the fish actually was formed or whether this was due to my almost squishing the skeleton remains unknown as well. Each rib was awfully pointy, however and the foremost two were brought forward to make them almost appear to be pincers.  Now, no fish that I have ever seen around here has pincers so that is likely another misconception on my part or a bit of warped imagination coming in strong.  Both are a high possibility!

  The mystery skeleton was flipped back into the water whence it came.  The earth-shaking questions of its original form sank to the muddy bottom to be hidden from sight forever!  The Bayou sometimes does not tell its secrets!

Nothing Doing!

  Nothing doing!  That is exactly how the Praying Mantis from yesterday felt about my offering of a free meal.  Nothing doing!  The mantis absolutely refused any handouts.  My offering would have pleased the critter except for one minor detail....it was dead.  Yep, that Praying Mantis was a little too uppity or, perhaps, had a too refined palate for dead bugs albeit a large dead bug.

  Actually, I should have known better than to go to the trouble.  A Praying Mantis is fully capable of catching its own supper and does not need my help but I just happened to have found a lovely dead horsefly and thought I would give it to my friend.  My efforts were spurned with an upturned nose!  A mantis prefers live prey.  It is the motion of a live bug that actually attracts the mantis in the first place not just hunger. Mantises do have voracious appetites, though!  They seek out the movement of a live bug and then stealthily await until the prey is within range.  Once a bug is deemed worthy and is near enough, the mantis pounces.  In just a split second, the mantis is feeding.  The prey never knew what hit it.  

  It makes me happy to see so many mantises wavering about the garden.  Their back and forth motion as they mimic a leaf in the wind, makes them quite difficult to see unless you are careful.  I have learned to search the plants for them before harvesting.  I would hate to inadvertently snip one in half!  They are wonderful insects to have about the place even if they are a bit persnickety about their meals!

Bug World!

I just know Fall is on its way..even the bugs are getting in the spirit of things! Today's walk turned up one of the prettiest bugs that I have seen in a while. A beautiful orange and black Banded Netwing Beetle flew past me and landed on a dead oak leaf on the ground. Its colors reminded me of Halloween! At first glance, it was difficult to distinguish the bug from the leaf since the colors so closely matched. The beetle had probably chosen its landing spot as to be so well camouflaged. This beetle was gorgeous as far as bugs go so I watched it closely for a few minutes and then let it go on its merry way. Banded Netwings are not a "problem" bug for gardeners. Actually in some ways they might even be considered a beneficial critter to have around the yard. They feed upon the juices of decaying plants and the larvae are reputed to eat soft eat soft-bodied insects and slugs. Wait a minute! They eat slugs?? I now have a new favorite bug! This one inch long bug with its elaborate wings can reside in my garden for as long as it wants. It can surely have its fill of slugs!

Another insect caught my eye today. This time it was not nearly as colorful and is perhaps considered a bit more of a garden pest than the Netwing. When I saw where this Katydid was perched, I had to laugh to myself. If only it realized how easily it could have become fish bait, I do not think it would have positioned itself on my rod and reel. This one too was allowed a reprieve from being squished, although I am not too sure the Mockingbird would have been as lenient. The Katydid earned its freedom simply because it sings to me at night. I love to hear its shrill call mixed in with that of the frogs and owls. My nightly serenade continues into the wee hours of the morning.