Secret gathering of Ladybugs

[SpookySpooder]

Peeled back some bark and found this group conspiring with a spider. Just thought I'd share the sight.


There are tons of ladybugs and honeybees in the garden because I don't use any synthetic chemical pesticides and I physically remove pests before going nuclear.

Speaking of which... Wild caught hornworms anybody?

Just kidding though!

I have a half dozen in a cup. Not sure what to do with them as they are probably poisonous from eating nightshades. Don't wanna let them back into the garden. Might just leave them next to an ant hill or chuck them in the ocean. I don't want their deaths to be in vain, and would prefer if they were eaten, composted or recycled somehow.

I don't wanna inadvertently poison any birds either.

Any suggestions?

 

[Tentacle Toast]

Probably make decent fishing bait...

 

[viper69]

Those orange colored guys are not the Lady Bugs I know….

Coccinellidae - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Ultum4Spiderz]

Peeled back some bark and found this group conspiring with a spider. Just thought I'd share the sight.
View attachment 458527
View attachment 458526
There are tons of ladybugs and honeybees in the garden because I don't use any synthetic chemical pesticides and I physically remove pests before going nuclear.

Speaking of which... Wild caught hornworms anybody?
View attachment 458529
Just kidding though!

I have a half dozen in a cup. Not sure what to do with them as they are probably poisonous from eating nightshades. Don't wanna let them back into the garden. Might just leave them next to an ant hill or chuck them in the ocean. I don't want their deaths to be in vain, and would prefer if they were eaten, composted or recycled somehow.

I don't wanna inadvertently poison any birds either.

Any suggestions?

Winter almost here might as well see if they pupate moths are cool , I never see lady bugs here are those larvae?

 

[SpookySpooder]

Probably make decent fishing bait...

Into the ocean they go. Wanna wager on what bites? Bass or Tuna?

Those orange colored guys are not the Lady Bugs I know….

Coccinellidae - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Oh dang, I didn't even know there were so many different species. I always thought they were differently colored specimens of one species.

There are some pure orange ones. Some red ones without spots, some red with spots, some orange with spots.

Maybe they're all the same species. I'll try to ID them.

Winter almost here might as well see if they pupate moths are cool , I never see lady bugs here are those larvae?

The hornworms are never gonna make it past pupation. Not dealing with that again willingly.

They're larvae! The black and orange things are the larvae, they crawl around munching smaller bugs and then find a nice spot to turn into those bright orange pupae, afterwards they emerge a brightly colored beetle.

I haven't seen them in a while, I suspect they require a pesticide free environment to survive as their food (aphids and mites) are generally considered pests and sprayed for.

 

[viper69]

Into the ocean they go. Wanna wager on what bites? Bass or Tuna?


Oh dang, I didn't even know there were so many different species. I always thought they were differently colored specimens of one species.

There are some pure orange ones. Some red ones without spots, some red with spots, some orange with spots.

Maybe they're all the same species. I'll try to ID them.


The hornworms are never gonna make it past pupation. Not dealing with that again willingly.

They're larvae! The black and orange things are the larvae, they crawl around munching smaller bugs and then find a nice spot to turn into those bright orange pupae, afterwards they emerge a brightly colored beetle.

I haven't seen them in a while, I suspect they require a pesticide free environment to survive as their food (aphids and mites) are generally considered pests and sprayed for.

pretty sure they all different species

 

[kingshockey]

just use a circle hook to wacky rig the worm cast it out it looks kinda like a senko worm

 

[aprilmayjunebugs]

My bet is on bass. Tuna ain't that desperate.