Bugsy

Six spotted Green Tiger Beetle "Cicindela sexguttata" 

A "Bug Exterminator" said he was having the best year ever; making more income this spring than he has ever made in a whole year. I'm not surprised.

I don't think I remember a buggier year. It's tempting to spray all the yard, bushes, and one's self until every bug is gone.

I doubt it's healthy, but I do use bug repellent on my person. While outside this morning, I had to spray twice. Not only were the gnats in swarms but the flies were biting and I'm just sure several hundred other painful flying pests. I have three bites from over a week ago that still hurt and itch.

It does make more sense to use insect repellent on your skin and clothes rather than spray everything else in your yard. Yard insecticide for pests are not particular who they kill - both good and bad bugs. Plus, unless you live in a bubble, it is not possible to keep other bugs from filling the "bug vacuum" left behind.

The above Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle is an example. Because of the brilliant green to bluish green shine, it might be assumed to be as harmful as the Japanese Beetle Popilla japonica. Not true.
The Six-spotted eats small insects and spiders. A Good Bug! The Japanese eats the leaf and fruit tissues and of over 200 plants. A Bad Bug!

The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders can be a help in determining if you need to take measures to eliminate an insect in your yard and gardens. Taking a picture will help you identify the small differences before they scurry off. For us average gardeners, we are seldom prepared to identify (let alone remember) each detail that can help categorize insects.

A few interesting facts:

Beetles are the largest order (Coleoptera) in the animal kingdom. 300,000 world wide and about 30,000 species in North America. Coleoptera means "sheath wings" for the hard armor like fore wings that cover (when sitting) the hind wings (used for flying.)
Many beetles are predators, other are scavengers, and a few are parasites. Some species attack plants and stored foods, while others pollinate flowers and eat plants pests. The larvae, called grubs, can be predators or vegetarians.

I'm just sure this is the year when screened porches will be a valuable commodity!

Praying for Mantis

Image: Praying Mantis Egg Cases pictured in my gardens today.

I've included these pictures for those of you who have never seen (or known you have seen) an egg case for the very VERY beneficial Praying Mantis insect.

There are 2,000 species of mantids and the closest relative is the cockroach. Mantis comes from the Greek word for a prophet or seer. During that time it was believed the insect possessed supernatural powers.

Today, we know the praying mantis possesses almost supernatural insect killing powers. Eating only live meat (with no discrimination), they have been imported as a means of controlling pest insects. In truth, they will eat both good and bad insects. The really large ones have been known to even eat small birds and lizards.

They are among the very few insects with a functional neck on which the head can swivel. Most mantis in Illinois are the imported Chinese mantis and are among the largest in the world.

The female lays her eggs in the fall and they can survive severe winters. They hatch when the weather turns warm in the spring. You may not see them as they resemble a mosquito and drop by a thin thread to the ground where they blend with the vegetation. 

They shed their skin many times before they look like the mantis that is instantly recognized. Tan to pale green in color at maturity, they usually sit and wait for prey to come close enough to strike and snatch with their front legs.

I'm fortunate to have a large population in my gardens. Since I seldom use any chemical insecticides, I don't kill them or their food. The twigs of my bushes will have as many as ten egg cases each. Each female will lay several cases each fall.

Young will stay within the area where they hatch if food is plentiful. I've seen the same mantis sitting on a house shutter the entire summer. I'll come close to take pictures or just watch and she'll turn her head to check me out. As I move my finger, she will turn her head (probably sizing up her chances at making it her next meal.)

Some Asian cultures keep praying mantis as pets. I prefer to have them carnivorously enjoy the bounty of my garden. Since they are at the top of the insect food chain, they have few natural predators and little need to scurry away and hide.

The praying mantis will not bite humans unless you are messing with them or try to pick them up incorrectly. The only time I move them is if they are in danger (like the house is being painted, on the screen door where there will be traffic, and etc.) Usually, a little "shushing" encourages them to move away. They seldom fly and will slowly lumber away or drop to the ground.

You can mail order egg cases until the first of June. Just remember for a praying mantis to survive, you can not use chemical insecticides. Even if it doesn't kill them, it will decrease their prey, and they will be forced to leave your yard for other gardens.

“Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest, and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God.”—Thomas á Kempis.