At the end of January I found a dead coyote on the farm. Shot in the heart, it fell where it died. It's remained a mystery as to who killed it or why. Located in the middle of the farm at the edge of some woods, I would visit and photograph the remains a few times a week. Vultures came but seemed only slightly interested. The real breakdown came once the weather had warmed and carrion beetles arrived. Not only was fur and hide finally disappearing but there was a lot of action as the carrion beetles spent day and night mating on the carcass. My logical conclusion was that this giant meal (for a little bug), would provide the food for their young and this was the perfect time to procreate.
So last week as I was tending my garden, I noticed a plethora of aphids on spirea, something that seems to be a chronic problem, but one I ignore because nature takes care of it. Low and behold, there were lots and lots of ladybugs (or lady beetles, as some say), and once again they were mating.
The instinctive need to feed their young while food is available, no doubt. The larval form of ladybugs is actually the real aphid eater, even coined as aphid lions, well known for their ability to gobble them up.
The availability of food, especially when it's abundant, instinctively leads to sex for the sake of food for the babies . Once my mind grasp this simple concept, it seemed only rationale to follow it to spring when so many babies are born and food is more plentiful.
My biggest chuckle comes from the thought of prehistoric man, and woman. They kill a woolly mammoth, or some such giant beast, and find it's time to "make whoopee"! It's only natural.
And that's why my refrigerator is always full! ;-)
Posted by: Scott | 05/06/2016 at 12:46 PM
Good one Scott!! I was waiting for the ladybug joke :)
Posted by: [email protected] | 05/07/2016 at 07:52 AM
Lovely! the ladybirds looks so good.
Posted by: Evelyn Wangari | 06/28/2017 at 06:40 AM