Creepy-crawlies, telling friends from foes

[nickdub]

Most people who garden at all will be able to recognise a slug or snail as a foe, especially to seedlings, and ladybirds as friends, particularly to those growing roses.

There are however many other small beasties around in the garden which if time permits its most interesting to try to identify, however sometimes a snap decision on what to do about a newly spotted "thingy" is needed.

As a rule of thumb if something is capable of moving quickly then its a friend - if it can't, then its like to be out to eat some of your plants. The reason being that swift movement is usually necessary for a hunter in order for it to catch its prey.

BTW I usually use pheromone traps hung up in one of my plum trees to catch some of the moths which are a cause of plums being infected by maggots which make a mess inside the fruit. I hang them out when the plums are in full flower and they control but do not eliminate the moths, before they cause damage. So if you've had maggots in plums in the past you might like to order some traps in - (I got mine from Amazon I think)

[ESBkevin]

As a rule of thumb if something is capable of moving quickly then its a friend - if it can't, then its like to be out to eat some of your plants. The reason being that swift movement is usually necessary for a hunter in order for it to catch its prey.

Thanks, I may borrow your thumb from time to time.

;-)

[Jungle Jane]

If you make a snap decision you could be killing off the good guys that are wanting to breed there. It’s easy here to put the bug in a glass & google what it is or if you’re in a hurry ask on here with a photo. I can’t remember what this is called but if you see one,be happy it’s there to help you,there’s a few little bugs that eat aphids,this one looks like a little Dougle from the magic roundabout

[Penellype]

A couple of other useful critters not to remove:



These are ladybird eggs and larvae.



These are hoverfly eggs - the larvae are weird looking semi transparent grubs.

[nickdub]

helpful photos - the ladybird larvae always remind me of little dragons.

[burnie]

If it's inside the greenhouse I usually chuck it outside, if it's outside I usually chuck it over the hedge as next door don't garden at all(that's stuff I don't recognise as a friend).

[Snoop Puss]

^Not surprised they don't garden if they're being bombarded by saboteurs!

Great photos, guys.

Local exceptions to the rule: locusts can move at a fair lick, mantises tend to stay put.

[4Shoes]

If its foe (Leather Jackets - Crane Fly & co) toss them over to the Local Robin..

Sometimes even the odd earth worm, but they break the rule. Slow and good