Crawly Creatures
Posted: May 8, 2023 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Gulf Coast gardening, Ladybug, nature photography, rosy wolf snail, Year-round gardening 16 Comments
I found this Two Stripe Spider in my water can. It is a very big spider about 2 inches long and for some reason was not bothered by me watering plants or filling the can back up.
The gigantic spider even made a web to catch bugs. Finding a spider in my watering can was bad enough, but I had no idea how many bugs were visiting it.
While weeding, a saw an interesting seed that moved a bit as I pulled weeds. I gave it a poke and it moved on its own and I realized it was an insect. It is sitting on a salvia leaf that is about an inch long. I have looked through insect pictures and could not find it, so if anyone can identify it let me know. (Try to ignore the pine needle under the bug.)
In the spring, mites get on plants which is a bonus for ladybugs.
One of my favorite creatures is the Rosy Wolf Snail. This mature one was looking for food which is other snails and slugs.
And again while weeding I found a baby Rosy Wolf Snail. I put it beside one of the mature empty shells had I found.
Sugar Line
Posted: January 22, 2023 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Backyard Critters, Ladybug, nature photography, wasp 14 Comments
There was a bit of a lineup of insects trying to get some energy on a cold day.
The impatient wasp nipped the ladybug a couple times, but she would not budge.
The line was stalled.
When I checked back later, the ladybug had moved under the white ring and the wasp finally found the way to the sugar.
Ladybug Feast
Posted: June 6, 2022 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: aphids, Gulf Coast gardening, Ladybug, nature photography, Southern Gardening 15 Comments
This lucky Ladybug found aphids, a great source of food for them.
Ladybugs can eat 5,000 insects in their 2 to 3-year life span. Gardeners often buy them for insect control.
The beetles are omnivores. They eat bugs, aphids being their favorite and their diet also includes leaves, fungus, mushrooms, and mildew.
This little lady will not be running out of food for quite a while.
One Lucky Lady
Posted: February 14, 2015 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Butterflly Weed, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Ladybug, Mexican Milkweed, Monarch caterpillar, nature photography, Tropical Milkweed, Year-round gardening 2 Comments
This lucky Ladybug was hanging out on the Butterfly Weed. I do believe her belly is full.
Aphids have taken over the plants and only one lucky Ladybug has found them.
Meanwhile, a rather large Monarch caterpillar was below munching leaves.
Automatic Gardening & Real Gluten Free Food 