Sadly, this post isn’t about fashion, for when I created this title I learned that ‘onesies’ is also a garment that is wore by babies to adults, but opinions I leave to others
Let’s end this fashion scourge once and for all
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/11/anti-onesies-petition Onesies:
This about while I’m working or just wandering about taking pictures I come across something that I haven’t seen before or only on rare occasions. Many times I see something that I’m not sure what it is.
I try to click a picture to help me later ID it, which most times isn’t easy to do. I try to use Bug Guide.net as my first source, but I’ll say there are so many creatures out one can help stand in awe.
The lighting isn’t great, they’re on the under side of a leaf or it goes to ‘flight or fight’
For I’m sure a camera lens looks like something that wants to eat it. So trying to move slowly trying to do the best I can, only to learn after that the shot didn’t always come out that good.
I find one of something that is new to me, but I figure there has to be more of them, for as it is with almost all living things it’s a matter of surviving, thriving and reproducing.
One has to wonder is it a beneficial or is it a pest and might that sometimes be a judgement call. For what if that what we consider a pest, might it be a beneficial to some other species’ as a food source or in other direct and indirect ways?
And when I see them are they associated with that plant, does it serve as its host plant or was it just by chance that it landed where it did?
And if it might be a host plant, how is it that insect knew that it was there.
We get excited when insects come to pollinate the flowers of our plants, but not that excited when they decide to chew on its’ leaves.
This brings me to the last part of my tale that of IPM
“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.
The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals.” EPA
Just because we find an unknown insect on our plants or leaves being eaten do we have to react to it? In the evolution of plants and other species hasn’t it been built in to each of their survival The interaction and dependence of each in ways we may not understand.
There are plenty of products out there that pretty much can kill anything – insects, fungus and plants, but is it that selective to kill only what we want and nothing else? What about those chemicals that remain after our targeted pest is removed?
And are we wreaking havoc on the whole ecosystems by introducing chemicals we surely don’t know what they are?
And the one thing I think we all need to understand is that “Life is a Buffet” and that it isn’t or should be only about “Us”
A book that might be of interest on the subject is “Bring Nature Home” by Douglas W. Tallamy published by Timber Press
Beautiful photographs. But it takes a mind in synch with the natural world like yours just to see what is in front of us. Most of us can’t. I heartily agree about the chemicals. Too many for too long have thought that we can “synthesize” ourselves away from Nature. But she will eventually draw the line.
When I’m struggling to grow some fresh veggies in five raised beds, I always think about my grandparents and their garden that fed the family all year. And, when I start thinking, it always takes me to the bottles and containers of pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, etc. and how our environment and ability to produce quality produce has been impacted. Thank you for your reminders.
I let most pests alone unless they are in the house. My house – no unwanted guests. The outdoors – that’s their home, and I’m the guest. With the exception of mosquitoes, for which I have zero tolerance. I loved your pictures of the bugs. Some of them are so beautiful.
I’m usually bugged by bugs, but you’ve really caught their beauty with these close ups!! Celeste 🙂