Knot Grass Moth Thanks to its orange and white spots and long protruding hairs, the caterpillar of the knot grass moth (Acronicta rumicis) is hard to overlook. This is also because, unlike the adult moth, it is diurnal. The colouration of the caterpillar is variable. The ground colour can be orange, dark brown to black.… Continue reading Acronicta rumicis (caterpillar)
Southern Green Shield Bug
Nezara viridula Although the Southern Green Shield Bug lives in my garden for many years, I have not yet succeeded in photographing adult animals. Which are called imagos in zoological terminology. The insect, also known as Southern Green Stink Bug or Green Vegetable Bug, is present worldwide in temperate to tropical regions. Its actual origin… Continue reading Southern Green Shield Bug
Good and evil slugs in the garden
Snails, especially some species of slugs, are considered evil. They eat our ornamental plants and vegetable crops, so we don’t want them in the garden. The web is full of tips on how we can get rid of them from the gardens or even kill them. But maybe we are making it too easy for… Continue reading Good and evil slugs in the garden
Animal roadkill
Our mobility has its price, it depletes landscape, destroys habitats, pollutes the air and can be deadly for humans and even more often for animals. I would like to present some of these animal road victims in this article. I, too, am very mobile, by the way. How many animals have died from my bicycle… Continue reading Animal roadkill
Domestic pigeon
Columba livia domestica The domestic pigeon is often called the rat of the air. But it behaves in a very human way. Anyone who has ever been to a highway rest area will be able to confirm that we also like to shit everything. Moreover, pigeon couples often stay together for life. But they can… Continue reading Domestic pigeon
Zebrina detrita
Zebrina detrita is adapted to warm and dry habitats. It can be found in gardens, industrial wastelands, on railway embankments and in dry meadows. Its area of distribution is Central Europe, Southern Europe and the Near East. All the photos in this article were taken in my allotment garden, where the snails are allowed to… Continue reading Zebrina detrita
Garden Snail
Cornu aspersum The Garden Snail or Common Garden Snail (Cornu aspersum) is only found in mild regions. It does not survive harsh winters with permafrost. It lives in parks and gardens and can also be found outside cities in forests, meadows or dunes. Like the Burgundy Snail (Helix pomatia), the Garden Snail is cultivated and… Continue reading Garden Snail
Hairy Rose Beetle
Tropinota hirta The Hairy Rose Beetle (Tropinota hirta) is much smaller than its golden-rose relative, but can also be found in parks and gardens. The beetles fly from April to June and grow between 8 and 11 millimetres long. As can easily be seen in the photos, the Hairy Rose Beetle likes to visit yellow… Continue reading Hairy Rose Beetle
Asian Ladybeetle, Harlequin
Harmonia axyridis When I hear a soft ding-dong or pling-plong in my flat during a warm summer night, it is usually an Asian ladybeetle flying against the ceiling. I rarely get a visit from European ladybirds. Harmonia axyridis, as the Asian Ladybeetle, Harlequin or Multicoloured Asian Ladybeetle is zoologically called, was introduced to Europe. For… Continue reading Asian Ladybeetle, Harlequin
Firebug
Pyrrhocoris apterus The Firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) heralds the arrival of spring. It sounds trite, but it’s true. It appears with the first warming rays of sunshine and can be seen sunbathing as early as January. Pyrrhocoris apterus is probably one of the most common Central European bugs. It inhabits gardens, parks, cemeteries, embankments, dams and… Continue reading Firebug