Charmed by Yellow Cosmos

When I saw a yellow butterfly hovering around my yellow cosmos, I remembered the LEM Photography Challenge with the theme, Yellow.

If you are wondering where the yellow butterfly is, well, butterflies don't wait for the camera to arrive.

There were however other bugs waiting for their photos to be taken.
You might have noticed that there have been a lot of activities around the cosmos flowers, including in my last few posts.
I would always remember the green praying mantis that waved and smiled to me from a cosmos flower.
If you are looking for some critter activities, grow cosmos.
Critters tend to be easily charmed by cosmos.
Grow once and it easily self reseeds.

Beautiful Surroundings

We are staying in this relatively new housing development called Setia Alam.

The land used to be a palm oil estate.

Today we decided to explore around us before the entire piece of land is completely developed.

What you see above are chopped palm trees in a swampy area.

The greens are slowly disappearing...giving way to new developments.

I noted that this developer constantly propagate plants in some secluded area to beautify the landscape.

I like them because they do place a lot of importance in recreating a green environment.

The above are 2 of the plants that captured my attention.

We left the nursery and explored the wild flowers which looked just as beautiful.

The pink and yellow flowers come from the same plant as you can see below.

As usual, I love to add some bugs to my posts.

Somehow, it feels complete.

I had received comments before on why my posts usually contain many creatures of nature like dragonflies, damselflies and even a heron.

The reasons could be because we are surrounded by undeveloped land and also due to the careful planning by the developer.

I'll like to link this post to A Plant Fanatic In Hawaii where hot gardens are being flaunted.

Who Like Weeds?

I've just been to GardenWalkGardenTalk and discovered that she likes weeds.

You would like them too if you have weeds like hers.

More and more people are loving weeds, admiring what other creatures of nature have been attracted to all these while.

This is a weed loving butterfly.

Insects love to hang around wild flowers. 

Some are there to drink nectar.

Some are lurking around to capture those that are out for a drink.

Others might just be romancing.

Goldee loves weeds. I often find her eating them.

Some people says that dog eat grass or weeds when they don't feel well.

Goldee definitely doesn't look ill to me.

She probably likes the fiber and nutrition that comes with weeds.

Who else love weeds?

Unidentified Flying Objects

Does this look strange to you? I thought it could possibly be a moth. I have several photos of bugs that I have not been able to identify. Perhaps you could assist me by taking a look at:

PHOTOS to more UFOs 

Caterpillars Everywhere

There are lots of caterpillars devouring cabbage leaves on all the four pots of cabbage plants that I have. This same type of caterpillar appears everwhere; on vegetables, ornamental plants, herbs and even fruit trees. It is called the Rusty Tussock Moth Caterpillar.

Below is one of the many furry, colourful caterpillars beneath a cabbage leaf.

Caterpillar poop on ginger leaves.

Caterpillar on an ornamental plant.

Caterpillar on a herb stem staring at a red-eye insect.

Black ants feasting on a flightless female & its cocoon beneath a sugar apple leaf.

The caterpillars may have attracted many birds and ants apart from dragonflies, spiders and paper wasps these days.

To me - Caterpillars in abundance.

To the caterpillar - Organic greens in abundance.

To the predators - Organic nutrients in abundance.

Bad Bugs, Bad Bugs

There are all sort of bugs in the garden. For now, let's just focus on some of the bad bugs that destroy the plants.

Bug on a Mango Leaf.

Another Bug

Yikes! Bugs and Ants on a Pumpkin Flower!

This red spotted bug feeds on leaves although it looks like a lady bird.

Despite a grasshopper's bad reputation, this one has not done any major harm. He has been around for many weeks.

These 2 are the major destroyers. They trample all over the plants, breaking the vines.

This fella occasionally digs out roots and chew them up too.

Beware of this harmful pest! It comes with a deceivingly, innocent smile.

Interesting Bugs

This is one of the many Swallowtail Caterpillars gobbling up lemon tree leaves. It stuck out its red forked tongue at me when I touched it with a stick. The beautiful bright red tongue that looked like fangs makes it resembles a snake. This is how it defends itsef from predators. Unfortunately I was unable to capture the scary 'fangs'. You will get to see what this little monster becomes in another post.

A Stag Beetle is night dweller that is attracted to light. It is called a Stag Beetle because of the antlers found on their heads. This particular one made a loud hissing noise that sounded like a truck's air brake from a distance when Clifford approached it.

A Green Bottle Fly assisted in pollination for the Apple Tree. So many flies, so few apples. Guess they are not very effective. Well, blame it on the flies.

A Lady Bug visited the Ficus Tree. Ladybugs are considered beneficial insects as they feed on aphids and other soft bodied insects that feed on plants. One ladybug can eat as many as 50 aphids a day.

A Lady Bug dropped its black spots :)

A neighbour's Honey Bee working hard for the honey. Yes, we have a neighbour who rears bees!!! I was told the bees cost more than RM1K!

The Bee Washes Its Hand Before A Meal. :)