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Rose friendly critters...
+3
The Lazy Rosarian
MsMW
Admin
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Rose friendly critters...
I thought I'd start a sticky thread for people to help them recognise rose friendly insects that you want to have lots of in the garden. I'd add to the list as I photograph them. Feel free to add your own too.
Here are my first entries:
1) Hoverflies:
You will find a few different species of hoverflies. They are useful in the garden because their larvae are voracious aphid predators. A single hoverfly larvae can eat as many as 100 aphid in just a week.
They pack a punch but if you can learn to live with them then they are garden work horses. They will consume large numbers of quite large insects and despite having been on the receiving end of their sting I have learnt to look before putting my knee down anywhere. Note: those jaws look formidable but that's not the bit that hurts. They are actually more closely related to wasps than anything and so have a sting on their abdomen that injects an acid that causes us so much pain. They can cause anaphylactic shock in some people so if you are allegic to wasps/bees/etc then you may want to take extra care when you come walk around my garden
These little guys are barely 2mm long. You won't see them unless you go looking for them.
4) Scorpions
You may not want these guys around... but I love them! We have an agreement... I leave them alone and they leave me alone. Actually, these little Australian scorpions have a sting that is not as bad as the Inchman shown above. These guys live in the leaf-litter and do a great job of keeping down insects that live in the mulch, like beetle larvae. I bought an ultraviolet torch when we first moved in because a scorpion's exoskeleton actually glows fluorescent green/yellow in UV light. A wander around at night in the garden is a bizarre experience with a UV torch
Here are my first entries:
1) Hoverflies:
You will find a few different species of hoverflies. They are useful in the garden because their larvae are voracious aphid predators. A single hoverfly larvae can eat as many as 100 aphid in just a week.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Larvae in action.[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
2) Bull Ants (down here we call them Inchmen):They pack a punch but if you can learn to live with them then they are garden work horses. They will consume large numbers of quite large insects and despite having been on the receiving end of their sting I have learnt to look before putting my knee down anywhere. Note: those jaws look formidable but that's not the bit that hurts. They are actually more closely related to wasps than anything and so have a sting on their abdomen that injects an acid that causes us so much pain. They can cause anaphylactic shock in some people so if you are allegic to wasps/bees/etc then you may want to take extra care when you come walk around my garden
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
3) Aphidius species... These little guys are barely 2mm long. You won't see them unless you go looking for them.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
I love these guys to bits.4) Scorpions
You may not want these guys around... but I love them! We have an agreement... I leave them alone and they leave me alone. Actually, these little Australian scorpions have a sting that is not as bad as the Inchman shown above. These guys live in the leaf-litter and do a great job of keeping down insects that live in the mulch, like beetle larvae. I bought an ultraviolet torch when we first moved in because a scorpion's exoskeleton actually glows fluorescent green/yellow in UV light. A wander around at night in the garden is a bizarre experience with a UV torch
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Last edited by Simon on 12th January 2012, 20:16; edited 2 times in total
Re: Rose friendly critters...
WoW i think we've only got the hoverfly in brisbane...as a rose friendly insect...lady beetles are friendly on roses yes?
MsMW- Number of posts : 53
Age : 51
Location : East Brisbane
Registration date : 2010-08-04
Re: Rose friendly critters...
oh and great photo's Simon
MsMW- Number of posts : 53
Age : 51
Location : East Brisbane
Registration date : 2010-08-04
Re: Rose friendly critters...
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This is one of our "rose friendly critters". He"benny" was just passing through to a new pasture so I do not have to mow.
This is one of our "rose friendly critters". He"benny" was just passing through to a new pasture so I do not have to mow.
The Lazy Rosarian- Number of posts : 5191
Age : 70
Location : Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2009-01-11
Re: Rose friendly critters...
Roseman, I have a pony that keeps the roses on the fence trimmed.
My wife recons I am not much of a horse trainer for I can't even train a pony to give up a simple thing like a rose diet.
Are there any larger rose preditors ( Critters ) than this one.
My wife recons I am not much of a horse trainer for I can't even train a pony to give up a simple thing like a rose diet.
Are there any larger rose preditors ( Critters ) than this one.
Ozeboy- Number of posts : 1673
Location : Glenorie, Sydney NSW
Registration date : 2008-12-28
Re: Rose friendly critters...
Great photos (again) Simon.
Yikes! How big are the scorpions?
David, Benny is cute - wouldn't want him near my little roses, though!
Yikes! How big are the scorpions?
David, Benny is cute - wouldn't want him near my little roses, though!
Re: Rose friendly critters...
It's ok Val, he only eats at his head height or higher
The Lazy Rosarian- Number of posts : 5191
Age : 70
Location : Mudgee, NSW, Australia
Registration date : 2009-01-11
Re: Rose friendly critters...
roseman wrote:It's ok Val, he only eats at his head height or higher
OK - most of mine would be safe this year!!!
Re: Rose friendly critters...
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If you see these don't squash them! The little wasps shown above make them! These are aphid mummies.
If you see these don't squash them! The little wasps shown above make them! These are aphid mummies.
Re: Rose friendly critters...
Here's a Mantis I found on Saturday - and the egg container (sac?) she left behind!
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And I've found this moth this morning. Not exactly sure what it is. But it's furry. And really cute.
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And I've found this moth this morning. Not exactly sure what it is. But it's furry. And really cute.
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AutumnDamask- Number of posts : 1360
Location : Benalla, Victoria
Registration date : 2011-06-08
Re: Rose friendly critters...
We have dozens of Grass/Blue Wrens in the roses, specially the potted ones. Don't know what bugs they are eating. All looks well so presume its the bad bugs being eaten.
I have been on this property for 30 odd years and during that time Lady Birds have congregated on Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna) in preference to roses. It's not unusual to see 20 or more on Belladonna which is deadly to stock and humans. There's something in the leaves for there are no aphids present on Belladonna for the Lady Birds to eat.
Unusual????
I have been on this property for 30 odd years and during that time Lady Birds have congregated on Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna) in preference to roses. It's not unusual to see 20 or more on Belladonna which is deadly to stock and humans. There's something in the leaves for there are no aphids present on Belladonna for the Lady Birds to eat.
Unusual????
Ozeboy- Number of posts : 1673
Location : Glenorie, Sydney NSW
Registration date : 2008-12-28
Re: Rose friendly critters...
A really food idea this post, Simon.
Great photos everyone. I have seen those sacs before, Autumn Damask, but I didn't know they belong Praying Matis. You rarely ever see one.
Your rose photo David was very pretty.
Great photos everyone. I have seen those sacs before, Autumn Damask, but I didn't know they belong Praying Matis. You rarely ever see one.
Your rose photo David was very pretty.
rosemeadow- Number of posts : 902
Age : 60
Location : Exeter, Tasmania
Registration date : 2009-01-11
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