Friends and foes

Thanks Hornbeam. We do try to wash it off but won't be too worried if damage is only minimal.

As for squishing it off with my fingers ... eeeeew..........couldn't do that! :eek:

 

Froghoppers suck sap like greenfly, but there is only one in each dollop of spit. Damage is usually seen as distorted flowers or leaves. A good squirt of water from a spray gun will shift the froth and then the birds will gobble them up

 

Blimey Hornbeam, great pics!!
Those shield bugs are cute aren't they? I love 'em!! lol!

 

Don't like to tempt fate but there seem to be NO aphids around in my gardens this year. I do mean that - none. Can't work it out. A few fair enough, tons - well that's par for the course, but NONE? Also no blackfly on lupins, philadelphus, paeonies. What is going on? Not that I am other than delighted naturally. Anyone else noticed this strange phenomenon?

 

Haven't noticed any greenfly. But there is a very strange attack on some of my blackcurrants, leaves all scrunched up, insides coated with blackfly. Haven't seen this before.
I haven't seen any ladybirds either. :(

 

Cold weather is probably keeping greenfly numbers low. The company that sell ladybird larvae are reporting a shortage because of lack of greenflies as food. They are offering lacewing larva instead.. They are beautiful insects and eat just as many aphids of all colours as ladybirds. See here: http://www.greengardener.co.uk/newsletterjune.htm

 

This adult lily beetle is having a nibble of my lily leaves. The young 'uns are the real problem as they'll be chewing their way into the bulbs



Two shield bugs in love. Who said that romance was dead? He looks kinda embarrassed - well wouldn't you if someone pointed a camera at you at such an intimate moment?

 

This little moth has antenna 4 times his body length! Only the males have these very long whiskers and they flout them at the ladies to attract a mate. Whole bunch of them dancing over my pond this morning. Quite harmless as they feed on leaf litter.

 

Health warning! Don't look if you are squeamish! :eek:

Black flies are foes but a good friend is at hand. These are all on an elder and none on my roses. Planting something wild that pests prefer is always a good strategy. The elder has beautiful flowers and berries much loved by the birds. Before cutting one, be sure to ask permission from the witch that lives in the tree! :D

 

I'll never learn. That's the second mistake I've made.

 

I'm enjoying all your lovely pictures and information.
I have never seen a ladybug larva and if I did.....I probably squished it!
Does anybody have a picture of one so I'll know to cerish it if I ever come across one?

 

You can see a photo here on this fact sheet. Ladybirds and lacewings are the champion greenfly eaters http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/gg12.php

 

Being a novice at gardening I have no idea what is a pest and what is not. I noticed tonight that there seemed to be quite a lot of small black midgets things flying around my broad beans is this good or bad??? If bad what should I do about it. Thanks in advance for any advice. I am quite surprised that anything has grown at all so far without thinking ahead to pest