possibility of nasty storms tomorrow ... so I'm trying to think happy sunny spring thoughts (not scary stormy spring thoughts!!!!)

https://lois-bryan.pixels.com/featured/those-who-yearn-for-spring-lois-bryan.html

#spring #flowers #ladybugs #digitallyhandpainted #NotAi #LoisBryan

Got into the low 50's (10°C) yesterday so our big front window was swarming with ladybugs. Which of course means every circular container this morning had one going around in circles.

Take it, Billy!
https://youtu.be/QDtYo2IPTsw

#ladybugs

💁🏻‍♀️ ICYMI: 🐝🌱 While we often think of farmers, #cows, and #chickens, some of the most important workers on a #farm are the ones we rarely see.

Host Victoria Wu takes us into the #soil at Common Good City Farm to meet the pollinators, predators, and recyclers that keep our #food systems running. It’s a great look at how #bees, #ladybugs, and #worms contribute to soil #health.

👉 Learn more: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/tiny-creatures-big-jobs-the-bugs-that-make-food-possible?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=new_content&utm_content=tiny-creatures-big-jobs

#animals #animation #biology #blackandstem #bugs #ecosystem #farming #farms #flowers #growing #kids #nature #plants #science #underground #womeninstem #tksst #video

It's that time of the year! And now I've been transporting #AsianLadyBeetles from the upstairs (where kitty spends a lot of her time), to the downstairs where I grow plants because ALB's eat #Aphids! Now, of course, they could crowd out #Ladybugs if they get out of control, so I won't be saving every single one of them. But still...

Multicolored Asian lady beetles

Quick facts

- The multicolored Asian lady beetle has become a nuisance in Minnesota.
- They cluster around buildings in large numbers during fall in search of protected sites for the winter
- Control measures should only be used to prevent entry of Asian lady beetles indoors.
- Multicolored Asian lady beetle and other lady beetle species feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects that can damage plants in agricultural crops, gardens and landscapes.
- These are beneficial insects to farmers and gardeners.

Asian lady beetle as a household pest

Multicolored Asian lady beetles can be a nuisance when they occur in large numbers inside homes.

- They do not infest wood, destroy fabrics, eat food or damage other property.
- These lady beetles cannot sting and do not carry disease.

Some concerns with multicolored Asian lady beetles are:

- Some can bite hard enough to break human skin, causing minor, short-lived discomfort. These bites happen when the beetles are searching for moisture or food.
- They can secrete a strong-smelling yellowish liquid from the joints of their legs. This liquid can stain light-colored surfaces.
- Exposure to dead lady beetles in buildings can cause allergic reactions in some people"

[Not mentioned: They can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested!]

Learn more:
https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/multicolored-asian-lady-beetles

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalPestControl #LadyBeetles