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May 25, 2007
Benia recently discovered many oleander aphids (Aphis nerii) on some newly planted butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa). We were concerned that these non-native visitors might eat us out of leaf and stem. After some thought we decided to just leave them alone and let nature take its course. Someone on the Yahoo Group for Wild Ones mentioned that predators may show up and balance things a little.
Today we spotted a ladybug (Coccinella septempunctata) patrolling the butterfly weed. Hopefully it was hunting for aphids.
It is so exciting to see everything that is happening in Native Suburbia. Every day we see something new. A new flower, a new insect, a new bird, or a new interaction between any of the above. Replacing the lawn with this native landscape has turned out better than we imagined.