If you have aphids and you see a piece of lint moving along a leaf, don't worry. You're not going crazy. I love this little guy. These little insects find any old scrap to stick on their backs in a uniform I'd call homemade camouflage. The results vary according to the garden. Some are covered with moss. Others the dead bodies of ants. My garden friend over in Austin says she found one covered in yellow flower petals! Mine seems to have found some gray 'things' to put on itself. They are completely harmless...unless your'e an aphid. Hence the name APHID LIONS. Happy Macro Monday! David/ :-)
This is one of the GOOD GUYS in your garden. It eats aphids.
Here's the aphid lion moving along a leaf. I'm always taken off guard when I see a piece of trash walking around in the garden.
If they eat ants, then this one is in BIG trouble.
Can you finally see him under his cloak? It's Chrysopa oculata and it will turn into a green lacewing when grown.
My old college textbook is long out of print, so I'll show you what he looks like without all the decorations.
Hope you enjoyed reading about the bug that always makes me smile.
David/ :-)
