Yesterday started off dull so I posted this flowery sunshine on Twitter, Facebook and a couple of the gardening forums to cheer everyone up.
At the plot I tidied up the perennial cornflower (centaurea montana) which had finished flowering. On Tuesday I mentioned it’s National Insect Week so I kept a look out for any interesting insects. I saw these two, which I think are young Kentish Snails, being only small finger tip sized.
On a pot marigold (calendula officinalis) was this Hairy Shieldbug.
Collins Guide To British Garden Wildlife, which I bought a couple of years ago, has proved invaluable in identifying such insects.
I also collected some Poached Egg plant seeds, although I’ll leave most to self-seed as I usually do.
Have a good weekend!
Loving the flowery sunshine. It’s just what I need with thunderstorms and torrential rain here making me fed up. I haven’t been to the allotment nearly as much as I’d like this year which is a real shame. I think a lot of people have just given up with their plots for the year. I’ve hardly seen anyone there so far this year, none of the nice little chats of last year. Anyway it was dry for a spell yesterday so I managed to sow some more seed, some biennials for next spring and some more lettuce but had hoped to plant out some beetroot today. Hoping for a dry weekend!
Welly thanks. I read today that it’s been the wettest April to June on record so I’d guess that none of us have been to our allotments as much as we would have liked. I agree, but feel that even now it’s worth planting or sowing as it may be good weather later on.
Me too, so fingers crossed. xx
Glad you are enjoying the flowering of your plot the only wildlife I am seeing right now is slugs, slugs and more slugs. Have a good weekend.
Elaine thanks. Me too, but they really aren’t photogenic are they! You too. xx
The Collins wildlife book looks good value at £4.99
David yes very good value, and well worth buying a copy.
Hmmm. Are Kentish snails any less destructive than garden-variety snails?
Nikki these are one of the common garden snails, and just as bad as all the others! xx
Strange…. the article you linked you said something about trying to introduce them in Ireland– why introduce a pest??
Nikki so it does, and like you I wonder why! xx
I’ve never seen a Hairy Shieldbug before. I love the flowery sunshine, just what we need to cheer us up on these grey days.
Jo me neither, I usually see the the green ones. Me too, they are indeed. xx
Never ever seen Kentish Snails or a Hairy Shieldbug – I feel all the better for the new knowledge. Oh I hope one day a pub quiz asks if there is such a thing as a hairy shieldbug I’ll know the answer
Oh it’s the little things (sometimes literally) that make me happiest xx
Carrie I know just what you mean! Little things, and simple pleasures, are all worth so much aren’t they. xx
Insects are highly photogenic aren’t they. You’re obviously not planning a French meal this evening, your snails would be too small and too few.
XX
PS Mr F, trying my dormant WP a/c again. Is there a personal message facility here, if so, where do I find it?
Menhir they are but I rarely get good pictures of them. No thanks, I’ve eaten snails once which was enough.
No there’s no PM facility here so you’d have to use email. xx
I think I had two experiences of snails a la carte. Mussels became a speciality for a bit.
Re. mail; where would an email contact point be found on WP?
XX
Menhir I wasn’t keen on mussels either!
Re mail I’ll email you later on, or more likely tomorrow. Hope that’s okay. xx
Hubs said that my preparation of mussels was a signature dish….alas for him, no more
Thanks, look forward to hearing from you. Hope you don’t mind. Need to get my head around the navigation of the site.
Menhir never mind I’m sure that he likes other things.
You’re welcome. Not at all, I’m always happy to help if I can. xx