Insects & Bugs in the Gardening for Wildlife forum

GrammaChar

Apr 23, 2016 5:27 PM CST

Maryland (Zone 7b)
Passionate about Native Plants

I've done done some strange things in my life...but I never (deliberately) put bugs in my hair!!!

GrammaChar

| @GrammaChar | Post #1125976 (1)

flaflwrgrl

Apr 23, 2016 5:36 PM CST

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

They're just fireflies. It's not like they bite or anything.

Course at this age I wouldn't put them in my hair. I would be afraid I would hurt one and that would not do at all. We need all of them we can get.

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #1125987 (2)

froggardener

Apr 26, 2016 3:25 PM CST

Name: JoJo
Texas (Zone 8b)

wheel bug shedding his old gray outfit, lol such a pretty color. Had never seen this before. Btw, one was on my back side one day while I was gardening, didn't know it, sat down to take a break. I don't blame him but he bit/stung me and it was worse than a hornet sting

I was walking around in a nursery and he just hopped aboard, lol

Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them.
You're always learning !
Helen Mirren

| @froggardener | Post #1129276 (3)

wildflowers

Apr 26, 2016 4:29 PM CST

Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!

Ouch! I've read the wheel bug and all assassin bugs can give you a mean bite! I like all of your pics, Froggardener.

May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

| @wildflowers | Post #1129349 (4)

gardengus

Apr 26, 2016 5:39 PM CST

Name: Cinda
Indiana Zone 5b
Dances with Dirt

Love the green rider

What kind of frog?

..a balanced life is worth pursuit.

| @gardengus | Post #1129429 (5)

froggardener

Apr 26, 2016 6:46 PM CST

Name: JoJo
Texas (Zone 8b)

Thanks, he/she was a sweety
American green tree frog

Christine, it was bad, hope I don't ever sit on another

Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them.
You're always learning !
Helen Mirren

| @froggardener | Post #1129504 (6)

Last edited by froggardener Apr 26, 2016 6:47 PM

LindaTX8

Apr 27, 2016 8:17 PM CST

Moderator

Name: Linda Williams
Medina Co., TX (Zone 8a)

Here's a sexy one, at least it would be if I didn't know they are Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beatles, and their ultimate plan is to produce enough of their kind to demolish all my milkweeds. They are on a milkweed vine.

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. E. B.White
Integrity can never be taken. It can only be given, and I wasn't going to give it up to these people. Gary Mowad

| @LindaTX8 | Post #1130798 (7)

Last edited by LindaTX8 Apr 27, 2016 9:49 PM

GrammaChar

Apr 27, 2016 8:27 PM CST

Maryland (Zone 7b)
Passionate about Native Plants

Oh, Linda, those are not good bugs, and I'm sure you're worried about your milkweeds. Is there an organic solution? I hope so.
And please forgive me - but you gave me a wonderful chuckle tonight - because they're probably not Beatles unless they're mop top bugs from England!
I needed that laugh! Thank you!
BTW, what is the name of your vine?

GrammaChar

| @GrammaChar | Post #1130805 (8)

froggardener

Apr 27, 2016 9:41 PM CST

Name: JoJo
Texas (Zone 8b)

Still a great picture Linda,

I got a milkweed vine back in '09 at the SAP did I get it from you?

Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them.
You're always learning !
Helen Mirren

| @froggardener | Post #1130847 (9)

LindaTX8

Apr 27, 2016 10:08 PM CST

Moderator

Name: Linda Williams
Medina Co., TX (Zone 8a)

Maybe, Jolana. One thing about some milkweed vines is they tend to come up eventually where you don't want them, so sometimes I take one to the swap and hope nobody gets mad at me if it spreads! But the one in that pic above is a NOID vine. Hasn't flowered, unless it did so high up in the tree where I couldn't see it. Did the milkweed vine you got survive?
Charlotte, the organic method I use is to put the beetles (or larva)on a rock and then step on them.

Of course, beetles...if they could sing Beatle songs, I wouldn't ever kill them!

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. E. B.White
Integrity can never be taken. It can only be given, and I wasn't going to give it up to these people. Gary Mowad

| @LindaTX8 | Post #1130860 (10)

froggardener

Apr 27, 2016 10:49 PM CST

Name: JoJo
Texas (Zone 8b)

It did until last year while I was in the hospital. I haven't seen babies but I'm sure they will pop up soon

Gardening is learning, learning, learning. That's the fun of them.
You're always learning !
Helen Mirren

| @froggardener | Post #1130889 (11)

GrammaChar

Apr 28, 2016 7:30 AM CST

Maryland (Zone 7b)
Passionate about Native Plants

LindaTX8 said:Maybe, Jolana. One thing about some milkweed vines is they tend to come up eventually where you don't want them, so sometimes I take one to the swap and hope nobody gets mad at me if it spreads! But the one in that pic above is a NOID vine. Hasn't flowered, unless it did so high up in the tree where I couldn't see it. Did the milkweed vine you got survive?
Charlotte, the organic method I use is to put the beetles (or larva)on a rock and then step on them. Of course, beetles...if they could sing Beatle songs, I wouldn't ever kill them!

I have a milkweed vine called Talayote (cynanchum racemosum) that comes up all over the place. It is usually covered with aphids, ladybugs and ladybug larva. But now I'll keep a close eye out for the beetles you posted. And I highly approve of your disposal method!

GrammaChar

| @GrammaChar | Post #1131091 (12)

GrammaChar

Apr 29, 2016 9:25 AM CST

Maryland (Zone 7b)
Passionate about Native Plants

Hmmmm.....the aphids are changing color and turning darker. Still plenty of ladybug larva.

GrammaChar

| @GrammaChar | Post #1132261 (13)

mellielong

Apr 29, 2016 10:19 AM CST

Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)

I think I know this one! The dark ones have been parasitized and those are their husks. Read more from UF: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/crea...

| @mellielong | Post #1132299 (14)

flaflwrgrl

Apr 29, 2016 10:42 AM CST

Name: Ann ~Heat zn 9, Sunset
North Fl. (Zone 8b)

mellielong said:I think I know this one! The dark ones have been parasitized and those are their husks. Read more from UF: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/crea...

Excellent spotting Melanie! Who knew aphids could be parasitized?

I am a strong believer in the simple fact is that what matters in this life is how we treat others. I think that's what living is all about. Not what I've done in my life but how I've treated others. ~~ Sharon Brown

| @flaflwrgrl | Post #1132324 (15)

mellielong

Apr 29, 2016 10:50 AM CST

Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)

We get tons of those aphids at MOSI. Job hazard, you know. One year it was so bad I was sitting in the flight cage wiping down milkweed with a rag and a bucket of water. No butterfly was going to lay eggs on a plant that aphid-infested! I had noticed for a while that some of the aphids would look brown and not be moving, but it wasn't until recently I got curious and found that article. It's good to know we have friends other than ladybugs keeping the aphids in check. It's all about balance.

| @mellielong | Post #1132327 (16)

wildflowers

Apr 29, 2016 11:28 AM CST

Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!