Discovery Channel Gardening


I have lost count of the number of times I have screamed out in my own garden then shamefully looked around to make sure the neighbor didn’t see me.  Everything from jumping toads to huge locus and of course the occasional snake have all made me instantly cold sweat in fear.
You would think that after years of gardening, I’d have grown accustomed to the creepy crawlers; no, that’s not the case with me.
Here is a look of some of the cool and creepy crawlers spotted in my backyard.

THE TOMATO HORNWORM
Tobacco and tomato hornworms are common, large caterpillars that defoliate tomato plants. Their large size allows them to strip a plant of foliage in a short period of time, up to 90% of foliage, so they frequently catch gardeners by surprise.

What I saw was a hornworm parasitized by what seems like wasp eggs! I gently removed the eggs and placed the worm safely in the bushes. I hope he survived!

Then there was the time I saw a worm wiggle out of a cocoon made with the tiniest twigs ever!



THE STICK PRAYING MANTIS  
Then while some may find this formidable predator fascinating, I think it’s straight out creepy because Mantids can turn their heads 180 degrees to scan their surroundings with their two large compound eyes and three other simple eyes located between them. Ugh!

This Stick Mantis is looking for his next meal!

DEAD LEAF PRAYING MANTIS 



While watering the garden one morning this little bugger jumped on me! Pretty awesome huh? While we’re still in the Mantid category this Dead Leaf mantis is one of the most intriguing mantis species of all. The name says it all as this carnivorous insect resembles a dead, crumpled leaf which keeps it perfectly camouflaged in its surroundings.
PIC leaf bug

And finally, that awkward moment when the spider that lives on the garden hose, caught and murdered the housefly. RIP fly, you had your entire life ahead of you!
No-one saw this coming... 

Have you seen any cool insects in your garden? Feel free to share them with me in the comment section below or on my Facebook and Twitter account @RogueGardening.



Comments

  1. Christeon RomainNovember 26, 2017 at 10:29 AM

    Haha. Loved this blog. Some really cool run-ins there!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rogue Gardening November 26, 2017 at 8:20 PM

    Glad you enjoyed! It has been a real scream fest in the garden lol.

    ReplyDelete

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