Tiny non-native predators of the yard

Early on Sunday we discovered two charismatic predators in the yard. Neither one is native to North America, which is a little sad-making. I wonder how we could get some Argiope spiders onto the property...


This tiny Chinese mantis hunts on the tops of the sunflower leaves. That's great for now, as it will likely catch mostly pests feeding on the plant. If it is still there later, when the flowers open, the mantis will be something of a pest itself, feeding on pollinators that visit the blossoms.


The clumps of pinpoint baby spiders are gone, and now this 2mm cross orbweaver sits in a web by itself, hopefully catching aphids and whiteflies as they pass along the grapevined fence.

June Urban Nature Walk at Little Wigwam Pond!

At the end of the last Urban Nature Walk my friend dedhamoutdoors suggested we walk near Little Wigwam Pond (this is pronounced "little wiggum pond" in order to differentiate locals from carpetbaggers). A couple days later she said she found sundew plants there, and I said "sounds good! you're leading!" or words to that effect.

This first picture shows the group exploring life along the train tracks.

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