Aphid Observations

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April of 2009 inaugurated a bumpercrop of aphids in the "Faith Garden" - the Meals On Wheels garden that held maturing fennel and dill.  Soon, mama ladybugs laid their eggs to dine on the aphids, and hundreds of larvae fattened themselves.  Wandering swallowtail butterflies laid their eggs on the plants and their caterpillars munched down, poking their osmeteria 'stinky horns' up at our fingers when we leaned in to investigate.  Wow, do they smell!

Next, ladybug beetles took advantage of the aphid food supply and laid countless eggs which resulted in countless ladybug larvae - just the right number for us to investigate on our computer microscope indoors.  But nothing beats a sunny day, the glory of spring flowers and a ladybug friend for companionship.