this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2025
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One of the insects on the mint. Friend said ladybug babies? So spiky!

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Yes, this is a ladybug larva, I have several as well. They eat enormous amounts of aphids while growing up, I love those tiny killer babies.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

WOO! I was sincerely hoping to get more ladybugs then! I haven't seen any aphids, but want the ladies around in case!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

This is a great example of why to check before killing/removing any bugs from your plants. Same thing when you see eggs planted on your leaves. It would suck to crush a bunch of assassin bug eggs on a plant.

I had yellow jackets build a nest inside one of my potted plants last year. On one hand, it's a little sketchy, on the other hand, wasps and Hornets are great multipurpose predators if they aren't located where they will bother you much.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Yes yes. No ladybugs are harmed.

Spotted lanternflies though, those are killed whenever I can actually grab one. Invasive here but also overrun here, so it's probably pointless.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Pro tip for killing the lanternflies: they are super quick and jumpy, but it takes a bit for them to build up a second jump, so once they land on their first, it's easy to squash them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

I managed to grab two by smushing them between a sheet of paper! The others all jumped. But we aren't quite so bad here, I only saw the four of them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I lived in a place where the outer wall would get covered by hundreds of these things in their high seasons. It was quite the sight even from afar.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ladybugs in all their phases? They're fun! I'm so glad they're here. I was worried we had none, given it's very suburban here, but no! Many! Delightful!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

The place was very hurban in my case. Ladybugs just care about the amount of greenery around. In fact these can be found in many cities. It wasn't a particolarly good spot. I think they did drugs down there, i learnt the lanaguage of graffiti over time. But yes lots and lots of greenery.