Natural Insecticide for Tomato Horn Worm - Parasitic Braconid Wasp is a slow killer of this tomato plant pest

This Tomato or Tobacco Hornworm Caterpillar is doomed. The wasps will hatch out of the cocoons and search for another Hornworm host to attack and lay their eggs in. The circle of life goes on. The caterpillar would have gone on to become a Sphinx Moth. (click on images to enlarge)

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Images of Praying Mantis HATCHING ;0) After wintering in an ootheca..... they're FREE!

A backlight of bright sunshine

effectively sets the stage

for a warm glowing birth!

Guess you can see that

I enjoyed framing these ;0)

Resting..... so tired!

Scurrying about on a grapevine!

...... click on images to enlarge ......


Nature photographs of Chinese Praying Mantis babies

(aka nymphs or hatchlings)

by Carolyn Hietala of Richmond, Virginia

The babies have EMERGED!!!!!! Argiope aurantia - Black & Yellow Garden Spiders

Check out my label "spider" for pictures of the Mommy & Daddy of these arachnid spiderlings!

(They overwintered in the egg sac shown in another image in this blog.)

Nature Insect Macro Photographs by Carolyn Hietala

"Last MANtis Standing"

Lonely..... silhouette on the ooth.

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Don't Throw It Away! ..... Gardening Tip

If you have ever gardened

or done yard cleanup

you might have discovered one of these.

It measures approximately one inch and would have been nestled carefully on a plant or even attached to your home in an out of the way nook.

This egg sac might not look special or precious but inside are miniature versions of that big gorgeous black and yellow Garden Spider (Argiope Aurantia.) The spiderlings will emerge and most likely won't be noticed at all until approaching adulthood. Then the large signature webs constructed by the females are easily seen.

They're not only beautiful to look at but these spiders are a natural alternative to using pesticides!

Check out the labels to the right of this photo

and click on "spider".....

there you may view images of this amazing orb spider ;0)

Nature Arachnid Photographs by Carolyn Hietala

Protect & Preserve - If you find one of these while preparing your garden for planting......

..... Do Not Discard!

It is a Praying Mantis Egg Case that will bring forth ravenous insect carnivores that are very interesting to observe..... a natural environmentally safe pesticide ;0)

Nature Conservation Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Double Trouble for the Garden Pests - Twin Egg Cases - Chinese Praying Mantid

(click on photos to enlarge)

This phenomenon occurred naturally outdoors in my flower garden. If the Preying Mantis mothers had been captives then I would not be surprised at the find. This Tulip Poplar must have seemed the best choice of all the other saplings in the area to deposit their eggs on! It turns out that both cases were visited by a parasite or some other hungry invader (note the deep holes) so it might not have been such a good idea ;0( I will protect them anyway on my porch until Spring comes to the garden. They might still be intact enough to hatch.

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Young Tulip Poplar - Favorite tree for Praying Mantis to place Egg Case? - Build your house on ROCK! - Safe & Secure

Mother Nature wisely instructed this little creation.....

"Do not build your house upon the sand"

So it chose a sturdy little Tulip Poplar to house its eggs upon ;0)

I have found three Preying Mantid egg cases this week and all were carefully placed on baby Tulip Poplars. (Update: 2 more found but this time on baby Maples so I guess they like saplings of any kind ;0) Who could say insects aren't smart..... at least about some things!

Nature Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Eastern Yellowjackets - Discovered cruising upon the bow of the boat - Not good! - Vespula maculifronsm

See the new baby peering out?

(click on images to enlarge)

A folded piece of old carpet stored on the bow of the boat was an open invitation for these Yellowjackets to call it "Home Sweet Home." They had been very secretive until the car door bumped the boat a few days. Then all mayhem broke loose with thousands of buzzing wasps taking to the air! A big yellow blur. Aided by the boat anchor and rope, the carpet was pulled off to reveal a huge nest which fell out onto the ground. Sorry! Hours later I was able to take a very quick shot (so apologize for the blurry photo) as I know the harm angry bees can do!

The next morning some critter had removed all evidence of the nest..... most likely an oppossum. The worker in the above photo had an injured wing so "went down with the ship" ;0(

Here's what Bugguide.net has to say about these insects: http://bugguide.net/node/view/11564

Photos by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

No longer pregnant & quite a bit thinner - Proud but tired - This mother Argiope aurantis will rest today!

Pregnant Mom ;0) Be sure to click on photos to enlarge.

This one and the next were taken last night.

Just exploring before the big event of laying those eggs.

Eggs already laid and she is putting the finishing touches on the egg case.

Look closely at the silk strands being placed on the case.

Smile - You're on Candid Camera!

She is working so quickly - Oh my kingdom for a video camera ;0(

More than one thread at a time.

Every nook & cranny gets special attention.

WHEW!

Since this egg case is so fresh it hasn't yet changed color to brown as shown here on Bugguide.net http://bugguide.net/node/view/2025 What a large & lovely North American Garden Spider - The Black & Yellow Argiope.

Photographs by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Chinese Praying Mantis egg case will wait patiently until spring at which time over a hundred babies will emerge. Life goes on.

Isn't it amazing how Mother Nature provides for the continuance of even the smallest of species on earth? The eggs are safely protected from the ravages of winter. Spring warmth will trigger hatching so let's hope a bird isn't watching for they would make quite an easy meal. (I will be moving this one to an inconspicuous spot to insure they do have a better chance of surviving.)

Carolyn Hietala