Wolf's Den

For me, it's the abundance and variety of beneficial insects...



From the simple Lady bug, to the varied butterflies to the Praying mantis and various moths, bumblebees. The fact that there are so many different insects that benefit my plants, visiting my gardens, tells me, I'm doing something right.


I was cheering these little guys on, early in the spring, when my Chamomile and Buddelia was infested with aphids. I lost count of how many I found. The aphids lost the war.


3rd or 4th Clearwing Hummingbird Sphinx Moth


The resident Praying Mantis of my Sweet Basil.


I don't know that grasshoppers are 'beneficial', but he was just so perfect a shot that I took one anyway.}:)


Second Black Tiger Swallowtail, the first had a missing 'point' on it's bottom wings.


I'm not sure what butterfly this is. Not a Monarch, they haven't been by yet.


This was the 4th or 5th Tiger Swallowtail that I saw.


Was deadheading the Buddelia, this little guy startled me. I thought for sure I'd snipped it. As far as I know, it and the other resident Praying Mantis in the Buddelia are still there.


Other resident Praying Mantis of the Buddelia. Almost snipped it too. They need to stop being so sneaky.}:P


Between the tiny bees, the wasps, the moths, there were record numbers of bumblebees, many with full pollen 'sacs' on their legs. This is a good thing, considering the problems bees have been having lately, with whole colonies vanishing.

I use no pesticides that aren't homemade. I hand weed, make my own compost, etc. I think it shows. This is the most beneficial type insects I've seen in my garden in recent years.

How about yours?

Crossposted to organic_garden and gardening