Thursday 3 September 2009

Anniversary Wishes And The Bug

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Firstly, very Happy Anniversary Wishes to Becky and Dean who are celebrating their special day today. How quickly the time has gone - sixteen years of married life. It does not seem all that long since I was sewing crystals onto her wedding dress. They have known each other a lot longer than that, of course, well over twenty years. So, Mike and I raise a glass to them both. May they be happy together their whole lives long. We could not wish for a finer daughter or son-in-law.

Secondly, thanks to all who commented about the mystery bug and the photos I included in my previous entry. Our dear friend Morton was the first to solve the mystery. In fact within ten minutes of my posting, he gave me the answer.

Yes, it was a shield bug also known in the U.S.A. as the stink bug. You never stop learning. In fact, it is not a beetle at all as I thought, but belongs in a genus of its own.

Although sometimes mistaken for beetles, shield bugs belong to a different group of insects, the Hemiptera. They feed by sucking sap from a wide range of plants but generally cause no noticeable damage to cultivated plants, even when numerous. They overwinter as adults but, before seeking sheltered places, they are seen in late summer and autumn sitting on plant foliage in the sun. They are also active in early summer when they lay small clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves.

In recent years the native green shield bugs seem to have become more abundant and widespread. Other species of shield bugs that are brown or yellowish green with reddish markings can also be found in gardens.

They are supposed to emit a noxious smell when threatened. Well, Mike picked our little visitor up and nothing happened so the creature obviously did not feel Mike was any danger. We have not seen it since. Let us hope it is going happily about enjoying its life.

I was amazed to read that there are 30 different species of them here in Britain which makes it even stranger that neither Mike nor I had never come across one before.

Here endeth the lesson in entomology (unless something else strange turns up).

We are still not getting the rain we desperately need. Just a few showers but nothing that will really help the garden. The lawns are brown and the ground is like concrete. We are getting very strong winds though. We shall soon have to empty out all the summer tubs and try to put something in for winter colour. I usually prefer winter pansies but it becomes expensive when we have so many tubs. I might cut down a little this year. We shall see.

Before I sign off, here is a photograph of Jesse and Leo taking a little siesta together:-

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Well, that is all from me for this time. Have a happy and peaceful weekend, dear friends and readers.

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20 comments:

  1. Thank you for the anniversary wishes and the interesting lesson in entomology! Cute piccie of Jesse and Leo! Love B x

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  2. Good morning Jeannette
    I too would like to send anniversary wishes to Becky and Dean and my best wishes for many more happy anniversaries in the future. Well, at my age I am being education about shield bugs, it just goes to show Jeannette that we are never too old to learn new things. If you would like some rain I wish I could send you some of ours as our garden is like a bog! Just loved the picture of Jesse and Leo, how safe and snug they look.
    Eileen x

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  3. Happy Anniversary to the couple, and cute photo of the pets, lol.

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  4. happy anniversary to them both.funny but i had a shield bug up on my bedroom ceiling last night lol.no idea how he got there,went outside though fast,lol.they can do a bit of damage if a lot but i let them live,no harm in them.wonderful colour when sun hits them.glad i could answer your question,take care,love mort xxx

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  5. love your heading pic..would love to go in there and have a pint!!
    happy anniversary to Becky and Dean!

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  6. I'm also sending Best of Anniversary Wishes to your daughter and Son in law. It is wonderful to see couples like them that are committed to each other and their family. I have heard of that 'stink' bug before, but I didn't recognize it. Glad that is solved. It's so true we learn something new every day.
    'On Ya'-ma

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  7. Congratulations and best wishes to Becky and Dean. May they have many more years together. Wow, I don't think I have ever seen (or smelled, lol) a stink bug either, Jeannette. Thanks for the education. It was quite interesting. Wishing you a lovely weekend, honey... Love, Val xox

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  8. happy anniversary!! & thx for the bug report...lol.
    xoxoxox

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  9. Happy Anniversary to Becky and Dean. May they many more happy ones. Glad that you found out what the bug was. You can pick one up here and it does stink LOL. Great picture of Jesse and Leo. Hugs, Helen

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  10. Happy Anniversary to the happy couple. Interesting about the bug. I am going to post one I hope to ID also. Saw it on my trip.

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  11. Yep!!...that pic of Jesse and Leo was a Kodak moment.....

    Enjoy....LindaMay

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  12. A very Happy Aniversary to Beccie and Dean ,wishing you many more happy years together ,God Bless a lovely family ....love Jan xx

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  13. Happy Anniversary Becky and Dean! I am heading into 18 years in November, myself...

    Interesting about the bug. I soooo love the picture of Jesse and Leo! Adorable!

    Hoping for some rain for you...

    be well...

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  14. What an adorable photograph!! Now I know what those little bugs are as well, thank you for that. Perhaps he knew Mike was a non-killing soul which is why he didn't put on his stinky side for him. Happy anniversary to Becky & Dean, may they share many, many more wonderful years together.

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  15. Happy Anniversary to Becky and Dean hope you have a lovely day. Wish I could send you some of the rain that has been causing all this flooding up here we are getting more than our share just now so we could spare a shower or two for you. Lave a ood weekend. Love Joan

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  16. Happy Anniversary! Your heading picture is from the village where I was brought up and my Mum still lives!

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  17. A very Happy Anniversary to Becky and Dean. It was our anniversary on the 1st and Kerry`s will be on the 10th. September seems to be a popular month for weddings. I just read your entry about the bug and even though I have seen them quite often I had no idea what they are called, thanks for the information.

    We`re of on our holiday tomorrow and I`m hoping the weather will be kind to us. We often have good weather in Dorset at this time of year so fingers crossed. :o)

    Love and Hugs

    Sandra xxxx

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  18. Happy Anniversary to Becky and Dean!

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  19. Belated Wedding anniversary Becky and Dean ,my daughter and son in law have been married 11years today ,best wishes to them all ....love Jeanxx

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  20. Happy Anniversary to Becky and Dean from me as well. 16 years and two kids are a big achievement! I can say that for sure I've been married for 16 yrs (going for 17) and have two kids as well! Not at all that easy! Freezing cold here today. Wish you all the best. Ciao. A.

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