Missing Wooly Bears

[chocolatepuppy]

I've only seen three wooly bears this year, a white one and two black and rust. They look like my Jake. As for the 'orange' ladybugs, hadn't seen any until today because it warmed up. And yes they do bite! Oh, I live in Ohio.

[Pinot's Mom]

OK, I went on line about the ladybugs...guess what-they're NOT native, they are asian and they were introduced by our own government to control Aphids. They have no natural enemies and they drive away the native ladybugs.

[Twisterdog]

We don't have wooly bear caterpillars here, ever.

I love ladybugs! We have few of those, as well.

I HATE earwigs. Gross!

[chocolatepuppy]

OK, I went on line about the ladybugs...guess what-they're NOT native, they are asian and they were introduced by our own government to control Aphids. They have no natural enemies and they drive away the native ladybugs.

I heard that before and I sure believe it because I hardly ever see a red ladybug anymore.

[sparks19]

HA... be glad you guys only have a lady bug infestation

no woolybears here... haven't seen any ever actually. but next year our friends are going to give us some of their catepillars that become Swallowtail butterflies so we can let hannah watch their transformation. that will be so much fun. I love catepillars ... only saw one this year but not sure what kind he was. we let him do his thing.

BUT... thos who are complaining about ladybugs... i will trade you for our STINKBUGS.

Oh yes.. that's right. STINKBUGS. they are disgusting and gross and we have TONS of them. they are gone for the winter... appear int he spring... disappear for the summer but are back for the fall. when it is decently warm outside they are in full force. and they squeeze through any CRACK they can find to get into your house.

we have had dozens and dozens of them in the house an OH YES... they STINK and NOTHING eats them

[pomtzu]

Yuk - stinky stink bugs.

One year they nested in the chimney of the fireplace (we didn't know this), and when we lit a fire for the first time of the season, they came dropping down by the dozens into the fire. Unfortunately, a lot of them made it thru the fire and went scurrying across the floor. A stink bug hunt is no fun at all!

[pomtzu]

Finally!!! I saw my first Wooly in the yard. He had a broad black band on one end, and a narrower one on the opposite end. Wonder what that means???

[Asiel]

It means you aren't looking hard enough if you didn't see green ones.... Honestly, we have more lime green ones than the rust coloured ones, they're actually very pretty and bigger than the rusty ones.
We were lucky this year, the summer was non existant so we saw very few ladybugs, I can't stand the way they get inside no matter what we do. This year has been terrific.
As for the stinky bugs I guess it's too cold out here, I've never heard of them

Now...back to that Martini.......

[Pinot's Mom]

Stink Bug. They are usually darker in our neck of the woods, more of a brownish color.

If it makes anyone feel any better, yesterday I was home from work and was swarmed with the Asian Ladybugs, Stink Bugs, Box Elder Bugs, as well as spiders. Only the Ladybugs (and lots of them, thank you) make it inside the house. It's all part of living where I do, you've got to take the good with the bad! Still no Wooly Bears, though, Ellie!

[pomtzu]

I've never seen a green stink bug. They look more gray than brown to me - at least around here.

The Asian ladybugs weren't around yesterday - guess they made enough pests of themselves the day before. I'm still finding them in the house tho!

Any where there is a wooded area - expect to find just about any kind of bug. I've gotten used to it after almost 40 years here in the country.

[Asiel]

That's the same colour our huge fuzzy green caterpillars are. How can anything so pretty be called a stink bug?
Don't think we'll be having any more bugs of any kind, it's snowing again today and only 1 degree . With the north wind it feels more like -10 or more......brrrrr.
The only ones to enjoy this cold are the dogs, they can run all they want without panting up a storm from the heat.

[pomtzu]

OK, I went on line about the ladybugs...guess what-they're NOT native, they are asian and they were introduced by our own government to control Aphids. They have no natural enemies and they drive away the native ladybugs.

Ick!!! They're back - in full force - inside and out. Today's warm weather brought them out again. I tried to sit outside for a few minutes with the pups - and they were in my hair and crawling all over me. They finally drove me back in the house. Geeze - I hate those darn things!!!

[Pinot's Mom]

I know, we were on the deck watching the game (don't TALK to me about that game!) and they were all around. We just ignored them; if they weren't in our wine, it was OK!

[chocolatepuppy]

Asian ladybugs are back here too, due to the warm weather. I haven't been bit by one this year yet, but then they're haven't been as many. Also, I saw a stink bug today, a brown one.