Look Ma, No Aphids!

Got aphids?

The important work that soldier beetles (family Cantharidae) do is never more exemplified than in the "before" and "after" photos.

When the aphids landed on our rose bushes, a few ladybugs came to dine, but the insects that really stopped the aphid onslaught were the soldier beetles.

Veni, Vidi, Vici! They came, they saw, they conquered.

And now, since their food source is gone, the soldier beetles have flown off to find another tasty smorgasbord.

Yesterday we spotted only one soldier beetle (genus Podabrus) on a rose bush. If you look closely, you'll see why there's only one.

Look ma, no aphids!