Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Saw already got my thumb and forefinger

According to planet natural: "Mealybug Control: Prune out light infestations or dab insects with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Do not over water or overfertilize - mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth. Commercially available beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, lacewing and the Mealybug Destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), are important natural predators of this pest. Use the Bug Blaster or hose off plants with a strong stream of water to reduce pest numbers. Washing foliage regularly will help discourage future infestations. Insecticidal soap contains potassium salts of fatty acids, which penetrates and damages the outer shells of soft-bodied insect pests, causing dehydration and death within hours. If pest levels become intolerable, spot treat with botanical insecticides."

Sounds a lot like mealybugs are a variation on aphids.

I had a mealybug infestation on the citrus trees I just put into our new system. I found a "recipe" on the net that called for 2 cups water, 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol and 1/2 tsp dish soap. We use "environmentally friendly" dish soap so I used that. In my case, I used cotton dipped in the mixture and rubbed down the entire plant, cleaning each leaf and then washed with a good hose.

If I get a new infestation in the AP system, I'll me more judicious of my rubbing... only on the bugs and then use a fresh cotton dipped in clean water to wash off the area. The solution can burn the leaves if left on.

hi steve, i'am new to the forum don't know if this will help in your area, but ladybugs love aphids.i used them when i was doing indoor hydroponic gardening.they will stay near the plants if given a home to stay in.

I know what this critter is (locust) but is there any way of getting rid of them? It looks like I am going to have to enclose all of my growbeds in a shade cloth (bug-resistant) frame to keep the prolific wildlife at bay.

we get a lot of grasshoppers, I try to go up early in the morning, when they are a bit dopey. Catch them and throw them to the fish or the chooks.

encourage bird life..

Monarch butterfly larvae

I was called to the the kitchen this morning and told to bring the camera, what a photo opportunity. Does anyone know exactly what this beautiful spider is, found wandering across the kitchen floor.

This is the well know "scary" spider. Check out those fangs, with drops of venom!
Sorry not to be helpful, Faye.

Would have thought maybe a "black house" spider.... but might be a "wishbone" spider by these pics...

http://www.basehead.org/files/shots/1-1 ... SHBONE.jpg

http://spiders.zacharoo.com/spidey7.html

Great pics Faye! Maybe a mouse spider, or there are tons of trapdoor species.

It's hard to tell because your pics seem to be BETTER than most of the indentification photos
How red are the fangs in real life? The first pic looks like a fake spider with glowing fangs

Most likely a male, on the prowl for female burrows. Males are very cranky and aggressive at this time. One site says autumn/early winter for males wandering around, so this would be on the money.
Don't get bitten, if it's a mouse spider they are quite dangerous - again one site says worse than a female sydney f/w but not as bad as the male. This is not a good time of year to be putting shoes on without checking first

I hope this doesn't make all our american members cancel their aussie holidays and visit synapto and his baboons instead

Thanks for posting these, they are wonderful.

Thanks you guys. Looking at the pictures and the reddish/brown colouring around its fangs I think I'll go with the Wishbone spider.
The red in my picture is the light coming through from behind, showing up the colour, couldn't capture that in the kitchen.
He wasn't cranky and took a bit of prodding to get him to arc up. Tried to photograph his belly but he didn't like that and kept turing over before I could focus.
He walked backwards as I was photographing from behind. He was quite docile as a matter of fact.
Can you just imagine this;
(Eddy) My wife has been bitten by a spider,
(Nurse) Do you know what type it was sir?
(Faye) No not really, But I have a photo album, would you like to see all the pics before it bit me?
(Nurse) No wonder it bit you.
hahaha

There's no scale Faye - how big?
Next time maybe include your toes

That is 1000% the last thing that I would call beautiful!!!!