Home and Garden Blogging

Some of you have perhaps heard me complaining about the aphids plaguing our garden. I like to think of myself as a friend to all of god's creatures, but I really hate those buggers. Recently I tried to take matters into my own hands. The trees near my lab were also infested with aphids, but there nature was taking its course by attracting lady bugs, whose larvae were crawling all over the place, devouring the aphid menace. I decided to try an organic solution to my problem, and transported a couple dozen to our humble balcony. Here are the results, modified internet style:














lolcats style:


















I have to admit that this was not a long term solution, as most of the lady bug larvae were pretty old, and pupated soon after I transported them to their new home. However, I am encouraged by finding a few of these guys, pictured below. This is a parasitic wasp, which I would imagine would be even more of a horror for an aphid, since the wasp lays its eggs inside the aphid, which is devoured from the inside by the wasp spawn.







This video is a little cheesy, but it gives you an idea of what I am hoping for in our particular circumstance. Go ahead and watch it if you can stand another slightly disturbing insect movie.