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.

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

Fuck aphids

FYI everyone, importing ladybugs can be very harmful to the native population.

Ladybugs have evolved to their environment to a crazy degree, and bringing in outside ladybug species can pass on pathogens, parasites, or out compete native populations for food. The imported ladybugs generally are from California and won't survive your local winter, so by adding ladybugs this year you might be reducing their numbers in coming years which starts a harmful cycle.

My point is, buy green lacewings or assassin bugs or something else from Arbico Organics or Nature's Good Guys. There are plenty of predators that are a better choice than ladybugs.

Oh the baby aphid in the 4th panel 😔

Do it