Good Bugs.

We may not all love the looks of those creepy, crawly, flying, three eyed, twelve legged pests, but believe it or not, many of them are not pests at all.  Transitioning from a Bar Manager to a Plant Manager has rapidly changed the way I perceive the world. We’re talking “The Waiting” to “Fern Gully” in a matter of a year.  Watching the ecosystem work together gives one an entire new sense of appreciations for the hard work these tiny creatures put in daily.

There are far too many beneficial buggery buds that I could talk about but I’m going to do my best to tone it done, because I obviously have many plants to tend to on this cool Monday morning. ( Thank you weather gods for this streak of pleasant weather.)

Aphid Parasite- This tiny parasitic wasp hones in on its prey by sensing the distress of infested plants.   This is the gross part, but I promise its also pretty neat.  The wasp then injects an egg into the aphid.  When the egg hatches, the larvae begin consuming the pest from the inside.  The new formed wasp then emerges from the aphids butt ( I told you it was gonna be gross).  Any aphid surviving this ambush reacts by emitting an “alarm” pheromone causing the colony to flee, usually resulting in them falling to the ground where they die.

Beneficial Nematode- When released into soil, nematodes seek larvae of susceptible pests by sensing the head and carbon dioxide they generate.  Nature is neat! They make their way into the pest in any or all orifices but mostly directly through their skin.. nasty, but neat. Once inside, they release a bacteria that kills them within 24 hours.  By some magic grace, nematodes do not prey on lady bugs, earthworms, or any other beneficial bugs.  They are also harmless to plants and humans. There hard work is also microscopic and done in the soil so no trace is left behind.

Bu(zzzz)mble Bee-  The most industrious pollinator. Bumble Bees are a fascinating, hardworking, and necessary creature. We can and should thank the bumble bee for facilitating the fruiting of a number of fruits and veggies.  More pollination = greater yields of everything from tomatoes and peppers, to strawberries and cherries.  Yes, it is safe to safe the ol’ buzzer helps feed the world.

Bumble bees carry large baskets of pollen on their hind legs and tiny little abdomens from bloom to bloom then back to their hives.  In the hive, pollen is gathered and converted to food, offspring fed, and the hive itself is enlarged as the food sources increase during the flowering season.  Wanna know something real neat? These perfect little creatures work together to cool their hives during the hot months by aligning themselves in staggered lines and using their wings as fans.

Ladybug- Also known as Lady Bird or Lady Beetle. A childs book favorite or maybe even your symbol for good luck.  These adorable and bad@$$ bugs spend but their larval stage and adult life eating mites, aphids, and any other soft-bodied bugs and eggs they can find.

Praying Mantis- Probably the best known beneficial bug.  This bada$$ but gets its name from its two thick front legs lined with spikes for grasping its prey.  It is quick to strike and will eat just about any insect.  Sadly it does not recognize a good bug vs. a bad bug often times dining on bees and butterflies.

Sooooo, I should stop here.  I think I covered a solid portion..next week, I’ll cover the not so pleasant buggers.