TOPIC:

Yes, ladybugs are good if you want to stop aphids from damaging plants. But the aphids don't really harm the milkweed or caterpillars directly. They bring predatory insects which do harm the caterpillars so you really don't want the aphids around caterpillars if you can help it.

In the 80's the pot growers imported Lacewings because they were more aggressive than the Ladybugs. Problem is they took over and didn't die out like the Ladybugs. THEY LOVE THE DESERT. When I'd get a new neighbor or visitor they would complain about all the skeeters. I'd tell them they're Lacewings and how they got here. Just another example of what happens when a non native species is brought to an area that has no way to control them.
Steve

I like the lady bugs but believe they will take the small caterpillars too, we have been painting the aphids with a water/alcohol solution and cutting really infested branches off and dropping them in gasoline:woohoo: but it is a continuous battle.
We had another one emerge this morning.

Wow, she looks good!

Here's something you might want to get for Mrs. BlueJ (if you haven't already):
www.juderose.com/chrysalis.htm?aff=2

They look so real, it can sometimes fool Monarch people.
When I fist ordered the pendant, she was the only artist making them, so I consider Jude Rose the original artist of this type of item. There are many imitators now, but I like to support the original artist.

Great pictures Jack! Well done!

loudhvx wrote: Here's something you might want to get for Mrs. BlueJ (if you haven't already):
www.juderose.com/chrysalis.htm?aff=2

They look so real, it can sometimes fool Monarch people.
When I fist ordered the pendant, she was the only artist making them, so I consider Jude Rose the original artist of this type of item. There are many imitators now, but I like to support the original artist.

Thank you Lou, she does amazing work, I really like the almost born pendent and plan on getting one for the Mrs.
I'm with you on supporting Jude Rose and will be going to her for the pendant but we have a local gal that works in organic glass and I wonder if she jumped on the band wagon?

Maybe, those things are hot with all the recent monarch news the last few years.

I can't remember the last time I got splattered by a butterfly. I guess they know to stay out of the way, unlike other big-juicy bug types...




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Had a couple more leave the roost, almost out of chrysalis's

daveo wrote: I can't remember the last time I got splattered by a butterfly. I guess they know to stay out of the way, unlike other big-juicy bug types...




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Their numbers have reduced significantly in recent years, even though there has been a slight recovery, it's nothing like it was decades ago.

They have to make a journey across an entire continent and they are running out of places to stop along the way. Also their winter migration grounds which are in southern forests are disappearing.

Mid to late 1990's. We were Ridin' Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway north to south.

Early afternoon, day 1 of of a planned three-day Skyline/BRP ride, finds us southbound out of Front Royal , VA on Skyline. There's an area a few miles in length where Skyline traces the ridge top. To the west the ridge drops off to the Shenandoah Valley , and to the east, to the Atlantic Plain. Miles-long views both directions; head-on-a-swivel-type Ridin'. It was along there we rode through a flock(?) of thousands of Monarchs, all trending south. Even though we slowed down, we were still striking Monarchs by the hundreds. Like Ridin' thorough a rain shower, but of butterflies instead of raindrops. It was an unforgettable experience.

Still feel bad at the thought of hitting so many, even to this day.

Later research showed that's part of their southbound migration flyway.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE