• [email protected]
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    286 hours ago

    Reposting my aphid hate

    Having imported ladybugs into a greenhouse for the express purpose of exterminating aphids, I can tell you with certainty that they’re kinda dumb. A leaf completely coated with aphids will see 4 plucked and obliterated by mandibles, and 50 ignored, only to search for more distant prey. The buffet is right there, why are you searching for scraps beneath it?

    But there’s nothing quite like seeing the little shits disappear into an organic shredder, clawing desperately, fruitlessly at survival. I fucking despise aphids.

    • @[email protected]
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      114 hours ago

      I discovered this the fuckin hard way, bought a container of ladybugs and distributed them along my various plants getting sapped by aphids. Next morning, only the goddamn aphids remained…

      • @[email protected]
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        44 hours ago

        Did you cool them before you released them? Lowering their body temperature helps keep them arou d and on your plants to take the little fuckers out.

          • @[email protected]
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            11 hour ago

            Unfortunate. Seems like you got a rowdy bunch lol. If I recall right when I unleashed them on an aphid infestation I had them in there for like 2-3 hours. Idk I’d that would make a difference or not. A lot of them did peace out pretty soon after I let them loose, but a handful stayed around for a few days.

    • @RamblingPanda
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      135 hours ago

      In the summer I walked by a hedge and found a ladybug larva. Brought her home and set her on my chilis. The next day all the aphids were gone from that area. Three larva had without a doubt feasted, but it seemed the rest of the aphids fled the scene.

      Ladybugs are reckless, but their larva are walking killing machines.

    • @[email protected]OPM
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      136 hours ago

      I also am speciest against aphids. I wouldn’t let my mom remove the 4" giant house spider she found yesterday because they keep my plants clean lol.

  • @[email protected]
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    216 hours ago

    I’ve seen some epic battles in my vegetable garden between ladybugs going after the aphids and the ants defending them.

    • @[email protected]
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      14 minutes ago

      I do not envy any insect going into battle against ants. Do the ladybugs even stand a chance?