|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 6:20:07 GMT
We've had a lot of these this year... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_flowerbugI've never really noticed them before but they give a nasty bite that lasts about a week. You can have one crawling on you and it then just bites you. Thnaks for the waring Jasmine - hope they are not over here.. I should'nt have looked at your link so early in the morning Jasmine.  Honestly when you think of how many different creatures share our gardens, it's a wonder any of us venture out at all. Did any of you look at soil under a microscope in Biology lessons, when you were at school - I still have nightmares as to what we saw !! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 6:22:21 GMT
Thankfully not Rosefriend but I've seen wildlife programmes since and they'd scare anyone. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 6:26:55 GMT
Thankfully not Rosefriend but I've seen wildlife programmes since and they'd scare anyone. We watch a lot of nature programmes, zoo programmes etc and I still get the heeby jeeby's looking at deep sea fish - some are like aliens!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 6:45:05 GMT
I can't watch nature programmes as I don't like seeing anything being eaten or any animal struggling while someone is filming them  I know they have to step back and not get involved I squashed one of those little flower bugs (accidently) when I sat down and put my arm on the chair armrest - it managed to do a chain of 3 bites before it met its end. |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 7:19:43 GMT
One less of those is one less to worry about Jasmine. |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 8:19:59 GMT
Absolutely - I don't remember being bothered by them in previous years which is what's odd about them  |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 8:52:56 GMT
Absolutely - I don't remember being bothered by them in previous years which is what's odd about them Pleased that you mentioned them Jasmine - at least I know what to expect... RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 9:06:48 GMT
It's a squish before they bite approach that's needed Rosefriend! It's one thing being bitten by a wasp or bee if you've annoyed it but another thing entirely if you're just minding your own business! Found your ladybird thing interesting - we have hordes of them that overwinter in the double glazing mechanism of the bathroom window - it's the only window that never gets completely closed in the winter. I tried to shoo them all off one October but they all came back! |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 9:10:36 GMT
It's a squish before they bite approach that's needed Rosefriend! It's one thing being bitten by a wasp or bee if you've annoyed it but another thing entirely if you're just minding your own business! Found your ladybird thing interesting - we have hordes of them that overwinter in the double glazing mechanism of the bathroom window - it's the only window that never gets completely closed in the winter. I tried to shoo them all off one October but they all came back! I'll remember Jasmine - the 007 approach !! Well I have seen ladybirds that nestle together in crooks and crannies but never that a sort of "Talley-Ho" gets sent out and they all fly in the same direction...wonder if there is a head "man/woman" so to speak that sends out the message - massive room here folks, come along, quickly now!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 9:28:58 GMT
Could be I guess - bit like bees |
|
|
|
Post by owdboggy on Oct 7, 2013 11:45:45 GMT
Saw this Pale Tussock moth caterpillar. Lovely colour.  |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Oct 7, 2013 12:09:31 GMT
That is lovely OB, nature really is amazing!
Jasmine I'm glad you shared that link, I don't think I've seen those round here, but wouldn't have expected them to bite! I'll be on my guard now. See they are good at controlling thrips though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 12:12:36 GMT
I agree owdboggy - a lovely colour - I didn't realise that they can be poisonous or the hairs can be toxic etc... Rf |
|
|
|
Post by Auricula on Oct 7, 2013 16:13:14 GMT
They're the critters Jasmine I have loads of bites and they do last for about a week.... bad bugs!! |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 16:26:50 GMT
Bad bugs with a lovely name Auricula - who came up with Flower bug for the nasty munching little things  |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 17:42:14 GMT
I've only now been able to look at it properly and read what it says about it Jasmine. I freaked out when I saw it this morning for some reason, I think I'll keep away from any I see in the garden, good that they eat greenfly too 'tho. owdboggy it's a lovely looking creature. |
|
|
|
Post by Jasmine on Oct 7, 2013 17:44:24 GMT
The wiki pic makes them look like monsters when they're so small you can't believe the bite reaction they make Ladygardener. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 17:46:41 GMT
One thing not to underestimate are the shield bugs - I had a terrible reaction to one biting me and I usually do not react to anything really - blisters the lot - awful!!
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 17:55:07 GMT
The wiki pic makes them look like monsters when they're so small you can't believe the bite reaction they make Ladygardener. Thanks for the warning Jasmine. Rosefriend, I did'nt even know that shield bugs bite. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 18:01:47 GMT
Neither did I Ladygardener and I still do not really know what happened except that OH said that I had a shield bug on my back and brushed it off..later on my back was burning and I looked in the mirror and I had a terribly red patch , about the size of a 50p coin full of blisters - shield bugs have uric acid in them and so it must have been that. I suppose it burns rather than bites...they shoot acid out... Rf |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 18:04:01 GMT
How scarey Rosefriend. I do hope Jenny does'nt read these threads. She'll loose her new found interest in gardening double quick.  |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 18:05:20 GMT
How scarey Rosefriend. I do hope Jenny does'nt read these threads. She'll loose her new found interest in gardening double quick. Hahahaha - oh blimey - nooo, we can't be having that!!!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 7, 2013 18:07:08 GMT
 The one and only shield bug I've ever seen was years ago in Jennys garden. I took a pic of it and posted it on here and Tig told me what it was.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 7, 2013 18:08:59 GMT
The one and only shield bug I've ever seen was years ago in Jennys garden. I took a pic of it and posted it on here and Tig told me what it was. Oh dear - now we do have problems...hahaha!!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Tig on Oct 7, 2013 18:53:44 GMT
There are squillions of shield bugs in my garden, you can't turn around without seeing or hearing one flying past. I've never been bitten by one though, or had an allergic reaction to touching them, I picked about a dozen out of the WIG after we moved it as they flew in when the door was open. I might have worn gloves if I'd known!!! Just had a google and it seems that most of the species found in the UK are harmless unless perhaps you squash one in the palm of your hand and their feeding tube managed to somehow get through your skin  |
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 8, 2013 6:05:23 GMT
Well that's a relief Tig Rosefriend is'nt it. I'll tell Jenny it's safe to go out into the garden again. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 8, 2013 6:25:48 GMT
There are squillions of shield bugs in my garden, you can't turn around without seeing or hearing one flying past. I've never been bitten by one though, or had an allergic reaction to touching them, I picked about a dozen out of the WIG after we moved it as they flew in when the door was open. I might have worn gloves if I'd known!!! Just had a google and it seems that most of the species found in the UK are harmless unless perhaps you squash one in the palm of your hand and their feeding tube managed to somehow get through your skin Pleased about that Tig - wonder if we can tell their relatives on this side of the water to keep their feeding tubes to themselves - there have been loads this year as well.. RF |
|
|
|
Post by Chuckles on Oct 15, 2013 17:00:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Ladygardener on Oct 15, 2013 17:40:50 GMT
Couldn't resist these pics this afternoon, they looked so cute sat there looking on while there was a feeding frenzie going on at the feeder   This is a great shot Chuckles. |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Oct 18, 2013 1:50:16 GMT
Couldn't resist these pics this afternoon, they looked so cute sat there looking on while there was a feeding frenzie going on at the feeder This is a great shot Chuckles. I love this - been back to it a few times...  RF |
|
Honestly when you think of how many different creatures share our gardens, it's a wonder any of us venture out at all.
I know they have to step back and not get involved 
The one and only shield bug I've ever seen was years ago in Jennys garden. I took a pic of it and posted it on here and 
