Reposting my aphid hate
Having imported ladybugs into a greenhouse for the express purpose of exterminating aphids, I can tell you with certainty that they’re kinda dumb. A leaf completely coated with aphids will see 4 plucked and obliterated by mandibles, and 50 ignored, only to search for more distant prey. The buffet is right there, why are you searching for scraps beneath it?
But there’s nothing quite like seeing the little shits disappear into an organic shredder, clawing desperately, fruitlessly at survival. I fucking despise aphids.
Counterpoint: the queen's pet aphid in A Bugs Life was fucking adorable.
In the summer I walked by a hedge and found a ladybug larva. Brought her home and set her on my chilis. The next day all the aphids were gone from that area. Three larva had without a doubt feasted, but it seemed the rest of the aphids fled the scene.
Ladybugs are reckless, but their larva are walking killing machines.
I also am speciest against aphids. I wouldn't let my mom remove the 4" giant house spider she found yesterday because they keep my plants clean lol.
I discovered this the fuckin hard way, bought a container of ladybugs and distributed them along my various plants getting sapped by aphids. Next morning, only the goddamn aphids remained..
When you have an all you can eat free buffet with infinite food, you can afford to be picky. Why would you eat from the pile of bugs all stressed out and popping on each other? I bet the lonely aphyd eating peacefully is much more tender and juicy.
FYI everyone, importing ladybugs can be very harmful to the native population.
Ladybugs have evolved to their environment to a crazy degree, and bringing in outside ladybug species can pass on pathogens, parasites, or out compete native populations for food. The imported ladybugs generally are from California and won't survive your local winter, so by adding ladybugs this year you might be reducing their numbers in coming years which starts a harmful cycle.
My point is, buy green lacewings or assassin bugs or something else from Arbico Organics or Nature's Good Guys. There are plenty of predators that are a better choice than ladybugs.
imported ladybugs generally are from California
I doubt they're shipping them across the Atlantic when there are breeders all over the world!
I've seen some epic battles in my vegetable garden between ladybugs going after the aphids and the ants defending them.
I do not envy any insect going into battle against ants. Do the ladybugs even stand a chance?
From what I saw, they usually end up backing off and looking for aphids that were less defended.
Fuck aphids
All my homies hate aphids.
But they feed Ladybugs...
Oh the baby aphid in the 4th panel 😔
Do it
