Behold our friendly winged predators, bug gourmands all.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY_3xWGY1-W8DPc0mpRF7Ca2uBeNLBGvp4b9X_XG5iYwBRYduTEwM2OwhTB2jiq2GMmNkFrt5b5QyFexq7T-mlDhf_W_-ozBvfqZfdsIl9IudAvXIiq28f2Odl9C7uM5UlWErId0Sk1Y/s640/dragonfly.jpg) |
Common white-tail dragonfly aka long-tailed skimmer, male. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyXF3zbDlW-aJI99j4_Kk3gXDlHLArMS7MwxQ6UNUm8U32kA4jWRtyEvwF6SMPKCGPrTKJNSi5xE_XB4oOkP5M0TW1TxEGWI3HwGAmOsv7Bq6GaAnPn_WFhLSSPY4LuRYe9yvKVf-Tjs/s640/scolid1.jpg) |
This is a scolid wasp (Scolia nobilitata?, female?), enjoying some oregano nectar. We like this gal: she lays eggs on
scarab beetle grubs, yep, those white grubs that eat your grass roots and draw moles into your yard. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1Rr_1qPHBtUAOH-3ay5PGlxl0Zw9B5bGyHmVT20rcnFbWF8o1EcagiDdlr1KkoM5TToABQzE03aTKH-RboJmSjOCroeMB8FKCRNqtXUVLTdNT-KpgM3NP6ULLHkHh14E5IHraC2457g/s640/greenbeauty.jpg) |
Long-legged fly, a tiny predator [this one is around 5mm long], guarding a basil leaf.
Beauty AND good taste! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B5sEXU1WwekyRoCYz-_c2tuMduYwdRLK17Ceqc6KBWn_uLUEL6GnGZu1uf6GhS4586Em6sr_HnF5vDi6qAWHTOSzAybW47-ke1Iqo_xhPsae29lVteVg5BPuVXqeB5UNsqGugZsml3o/s640/narrowwaistwasp.jpg) |
Thread-waisted wasp. Like the scolid wasp, adults enjoy nectar while babies are reared underground on a strict insect diet. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OQRD8yhyphenhyphenfYqJIbVggclqixrfzyov1PBdDes0JMY_gVXEOX8jXm0ww2nY5c7x7GK2E0RHHDZ4Qk506EI9qTljoWbrtb5FrubCB5pitHgGBU0GeEDp4PAeh-e3tbXoOT7td-BM8XhkwLs/s640/itsybitsy.jpg) |
The itsy bitsy spider patrols the bee balm. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA95fY2QIJLpp_cRY3s4hlUOwIW-_q1x4CSFJrdpQW60QCdgEZit6nIl0T-G6IcXbZ9iYLooWtb5aZ3z-xnli1bs1e479DOGe0krVy4rvBdRp0N0LJRnXt5ABADPks8LOmuom6v2-krA/s640/wasp.jpg) |
Another smallish wasp, also favoring the oregano. |