20 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I've seen a few dozen Lady Bugs, but only a handful of butterflies so far this spring. *2012

How many beneficial's have you seen in your neck of the woods?

[kat74]

Insects as we all know are the may distributors of pollen. They facilitate pollination from one plant to another hence fertilization and finally a fruit or a flower.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

kat74, on 10 April 2012 - 06:17 AM, said:

Insects as we all know are the may distributors of pollen. They facilitate pollination from one plant to another hence fertilization and finally a fruit or a flower.

Yes, we know.
Now, back to the topic...................

[dconklin]

I haven't seen any lady bugs yet this spring, I saw them later in the fall last year tho.  I have seen a couple butterflies, but not too many.  I have been seeing spiders (ok not technically an insect), unfortunately many of them dying off as they came out quite early and are now hungry.  Bees have been buzzing around and I think that is about the list at the moment.

[mariaandrea]

Haven't seen any ladybugs, but I did get buzzed several times by a big fat bumblebee while sitting on my balcony. Seeing the bees always makes me happy because they're in so much trouble so many places.

[angeldrb]

We have a few bees and butterflies buzzing around our garden these days. There are also fireflies at night. I don't know how beneficial they are but I'm sure they're helping the ecology somehow. Plus, they're fascinating - the way they flicker on and off is just mesmerizing. :)

[btatro]

I am in Wisconsin. Have not seen any ladybugs or butterflies quite yet. Did see a few bees a couple of weeks ago when our temperatures were in the 80's.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

A handful being reported by members is not encouraging.

[redstarr]

I am in Texas. No ladybugs, but I never really see them here. I did just take a bit of a hiking trip and saw a few butterflies. Can't wait to see more.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

redstarr, on 13 April 2012 - 08:45 PM, said:

I am in Texas. No ladybugs, but I never really see them here. I did just take a bit of a hiking trip and saw a few butterflies. Can't wait to see more.

Sadly, it may be a loooooooooooooooong wait.

[dconklin]

I still haven't seen any ladybugs, but I am seeing more bees and spiders.  Unfortunately the bad bugs are out, but it keeps the spiders fed.  Bees are the only beneficial insects (unless ants are) that I am seeing still.  More carpenter bees then anything else.  I am in NJ.

[clewand550]

I have seen a few ladybugs.  I haven't seen any butterflies at all so far this spring.  I have seen quite a bit of bees flying around both inside and outside.   They are not my favorites.  I think that the bees must come in with my laundry.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Any walking sticks or butterfly moths, lacewings, dragonflies,  anyone?
This site lists what flowers/plants to use to attract beneficials.
http://www.grinningp...rol-article.htm

[angeldrb]

We have a lot of dragonflies here! There are a few big butterfly moths but I haven't seen other insects yet. It's summer here and we're near the forest, so I guess that's why I've been seeing a lot of beneficial insects around. :) One other benefit of these insects: they add to the beauty of the surroundings!

[dconklin]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 16 April 2012 - 04:06 AM, said:

Any walking sticks or butterfly moths, lacewings, dragonflies,  anyone?
This site lists what flowers/plants to use to attract beneficials.
http://www.grinningp...rol-article.htm

I have seen a couple dragonflies, but only 2 or 3.  No walking sticks yet, but they are harder to spot and easy for me to miss.  I only saw a couple of moths, but I believe they were the ones that eat the trees - I haven't seen many moths at all.  I haven't seen any lacewings, but I don't think I ever have.  I had to Google them to see what they looked like

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Turns out, that at the tree planting in a local park here Saturday, they'll have a booth set up, and will be
passing out bags of free ladybugs.
I've got a fair amount in my yard, but I may pick up a few more.

[dconklin]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 18 April 2012 - 04:10 AM, said:

Turns out, that at the tree planting in a local park here Saturday, they'll have a booth set up, and will be
passing out bags of free ladybugs.
I've got a fair amount in my yard, but I may pick up a few more.

Cool Ladybugs are so cool.  Last year we had a ton of them in November (it was later then we normally see them here.)  They were landing all over us at the bus stop the one day.  Literally I had at least 10 of them on me just waiting for the school bus.  I am surprised we haven't seen them yet, but still no.

I want a bag of lady bugs!

[Shortpoet-GTD]

There are several companies on the net that you can order lady bugs from.
I won't post the links (spam) but type in "beneficial insects-order online" and it brings up quite a few companies.

[Hardison]

I live in Southern California. I saw a ladybug two days ago. I was taken by surprise because I have seen one in ages. Later that day, I saw a butterfly. It's been years since I've seen a butterfly. When I was a kid, I saw both of these creatures on a daily basis. Now, sadly, it's surprising to see one.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Hardison, on 19 April 2012 - 03:04 PM, said:

I live in Southern California. I saw a ladybug two days ago. I was taken by surprise because I have seen one in ages. Later that day, I saw a butterfly. It's been years since I've seen a butterfly. When I was a kid, I saw both of these creatures on a daily basis. Now, sadly, it's surprising to see one.

Exactly.
Let's all send a big warm hug and a kiss to monsanto, bayer, dow, basf for killing them all off.