Sunday, September 07, 2008

Sunday Safari

The Soldier Beetles are also known as Leather-wings.

There are 19 varieties of Soldier Beetles in North America.

In my gardens I have Pennsylvania Leatherwings.

They are good bugs and pollinators like the bees.

They seem to like all my flowers.
I often will see them in the Autumn on Goldenrod.

26 comments:

Maria said...

Ha ha ha. Look at that little pollenated bee.

I'm going to have to go outside and see if I can find some soldier bugs too since what you have in your backyard, I usually have in my backyard too. If Sherry has two varieties of swallowtails in her yard, I might too. If Sherry has a sphinx moth, I might too. A raccoon? Send two to my house please. Friday's slideshow was captivating, so beautiful, and then.....you ended it with a closing shot of a grasshopper. Apparently, what is going on in my backyard might possibly be going on wherever you are too! I know you've told me that I don't have bad bugs, just good bugs doing baaaad things but Sherry, I can't find a redeeming thing in grasshoppers. Maybe you can?????? They are just everywhere this year. At least I have three praying mantises who have moved in and are trying to take care of business. Two of them aren't that big but they're practicing their intimidation skills. Any suggestions on how to cope until my mantises get bigger?

Errgh. I'm not kidding. The grasshoppers are everywhere!

Your desperate friend,
Maria

Jules and Ken said...

I now know about another bug, thank you. I know so little about bugs other then the basic. Do you visit LindaWilliamsphotography.com? She too takes wonderful photos of bugs and lately meet with Robert Pyle. I knew nothing about him either till I read Linda's blog. I'm learning so much from you all.

Wendy said...

Awww - that sweet little bee looks like he's coated in sugar!

marmee said...

wonderful images of your creatures!
these soldier beetles look lovely!
i feel as though i could pick up your bee and sprinkle fairy dust.

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry......wonderful, wonderful images.....I love the soldier beetle, mine seem to have completely disappeared now.......and the lovely bee, doesn't he look lovely covered in pollen....

You are right, we will work together, re your comment on my blog......nature will need all the help she can get.......

kkryno said...

Those little guys work so hard! We,as gardeners are so lucky to have these Soldiers on our side.
It makes me yearn for a longer growing season. ;)

Love, Vikki

Lisa at Greenbow said...

This beetle is colored nice for this time of year. I will have to watch to see if I see one in our garden. That bee looks to be sprinkled with fairy dust.

Rose said...

I love the bee covered in pollen, Sherry! He looks as if he is in paradise:) Thanks for identifying another insect for me; now if I see a soldier beetle, I will know it's one of the "good guys."
As always, enjoyed your Friday slideshow, especially all the different dragonflies.

Q said...

Dear Maria,
The soldier bugs are very cool. They sort of look like Fireflies without the light.
We do have very similiar ecosystems since we live so close to each other. Being all organic helps too.
So happy you enjoyed slide show...hummm...
When ever a creatures comes into my life I try and find out what it is teaching me. The language of the bugs is similiar to the language of the plants and the language of the birds. Watching them usually stirs something inside of me. I must be quiet and open.
In the American Indian tradition the Grasshopper represents the power to leap forward. When Grasshopper shows up in one's life it means you are about to leap forward! If Grasshopper is telling you something maybe it is about trusting yourself. Maybe Grasshoppers are all around trying to tell you to listen and trust your inner voice...
All bugs are good bugs.
Maybe a nice grasshopper poem or drawing will help to keep the grasshoppers in focus until the Mantises have lunch. Praying Mantis teach us about being still.
We can leap together just like Grasshoppers out on a September day looking for sunshine.
Hugs,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jules,
There is so much to learn too! Once I learn a bugs name I am so pleased! SLowly I am getting to know the different bugs in my backyard. All are beautiful to me. I even figured out a way to like the dreaded Squash Bugs. If I plant lots and lots of squash I am ready for the Squash Bugs to take over by the first of August.
I am not aware of this web site. Will check out Linda's web site.
Thank you.
We learn from each other.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Wendy,
It has been wet and cool and I have thought about the bees and how difficult it is for them to get food. When the rains stopped I was pleased to see the bees came right out. I was planning my post to be about the soldier bugs but bee was just too wonderful. I took a nice series of pictures of them and wanted to share! Soldier Bug is with bee!
Glad you enjoyed the Safari today.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Marmee,
My backyard is filled with Fairy dusting Bees!They are fantastic!
Sprinkling and buzzing and pursuing my dreams,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
I love the Bee with pollen all over her. Ahh....
The soldiers were out in numbers yesterday. A fresh brood must have hatched. I love seeing them on all the different flowers.
Mother Nature needs us to be faithful.
Cloudy, wet and cool this morning.
The bugs are resting.
Me too!
Hugs,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Vikki,
You do have a short growing season. Has it dropped below 32 yet?
The soldiers are great beneficial bugs. Pretty too.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
As we approach the orange time of year the Soldiers are well colored! They do have a yellowish tinge too and look nice on the Sunflowers! We like pretty bugs.
I bet once you look for the Soldiers you will see them.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Rose,
Thank you. Slide shows are fun to do.
When Cheryl suggested we do Sunday Safari this summer I was so pleased. It really has been fun. My husband has enjoyed it too.
I have learned lots about the different bugs in my backyard. I also have enjoyed going on field trips looking for bugs.
All bugs have a place in the scheme of things...
Sherry

Deb said...

I have an AWARD waiting for you over at my blog Sherry :-)Your garden bugs have good taste!

Belen said...

I have learnt something new with your Blog again…Thanks. The bee looks really funny with all this pollen on her body...it seems she never has enough

Q said...

Dear Deb,
You are so kind to think of Corner! Thank you! I love your blog too!
Bug days are slowly coming to a close. I saw a few this morning but they were very slow moving. It is chilly right now as a cold front has moved in.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Belen,
I think the Soldier Bugs are in Europe too. Cheryl, in England, has them in her gardens. Miss Bee was so pretty with her pollen glitter...she shimmered in the sun.
Glad you enjoyed our bug hunt this week.
Sherry

Mary said...

Brilliant bugs, Sherry. YOU are brilliant also.

Maria said...

Oh Sherry. You really hit the nail on the head with your grasshopper story. Once again, you made my eyes get big and wide. I took the day off from work today because I just didn't want to be surrounded by the usual corporate silliness. Fall is too darn pretty and I don't want to miss any of it. We've been in the fall season now since...oh...since last Wednesday or Thursday? Ha ha ha. But seriously, I think you have something with the grasshopper appearances in my backyard. And being a typical Irish girl who used to be very mindful of symbols in her life (and ghosts!), I just sort of tuned all that out when the constant corporate buzz took over in my head. I'm going to have to do some thinking...or what I usually do...stall until whatever is bugging me I get used to...but seriously, do some thinking and figure out what to do next with my life.

Okay, okay, no bad bugs. I'm 99.5 % convinced. I'm just not too enthused with the camel crickets chirring away in my basement right now.

Naria :-)

Chrissie said...

Love the busy bee, Sherry :-)

Q said...

Dear Mary,
Oh...thank you. Bugs are so fun.
Thank you for your support and friendship. I have missed you!
Sherry

Q said...

My Dear Naria,(LOL)
Perhaps a Blue-tailed skink could come in for cricket control? I have one in my basement and am pleased he has moved in. I also have a Praying Mantis in the living room...well she was, I do not know where she is right now. Catching pesty flies I hope. I think humans and bugs can live happy together. You live happily with turtles and bids and cats. Why not live and learn from the insects? I just learned grasshoppers are favorite food of the Northern Flicker. Maybe a few of them in the backyard and balance would be restored.
Do call any time. I love to chat.
Namaste,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Chris,
Thank you. It is always good to hear from you. I was thinking of you the other day while walking.
Glad all is well.
Namaste,
Sherry