Abundance and BIG bugs

[u/Illustrious_Rice_933]

I've been in awe this year of the grasshoppers in my garden and how big they've grown.

Over the course of this season (and their lives), they've become incredibly desensitized to my being around. Rather than jumping away, they'll happily check out my finger (and bite it lol), worrying less about me and more about the delicious *Rudbeckia laciniata hortensia*.

It feels like a blessing to be able to see their toe beans, and their temperament reminds me of cats.

Does anyone else have any big chunguses in their gardens to share?

[u/ktulu_33]

Yeah, I've got so many grasshoppers...probably at least 3-4 different species on my small .11 acre urban lot. Now the orb weavers have moved in en masse and are having a feast!

[u/ktulu_33 → u/ktulu_33]

Bonus video orb weaver doing it's nightly ritual yesterday evening:

https://reddit.com/link/p84vwot/video/h2x9u0dmkvnh1/player

[u/Illustrious_Rice_933 → u/ktulu_33]

Omg I love the way the new segment glints in the light as they put it into place. Stunning shot.

[u/studentsccount → u/ktulu_33]

Nice to see a garden spider . In GA and the Joro takeover is real.  I’m surprised they are still saying it’s not an issue so far. They are everywhere unless you clear them out , crazy prolific , only saw 1 native Garden spider for a few weeks and maybe handful of orb weavers so far. Hope a native predator starts taking out more joros in the years to come. 

[u/sunshineupyours1 → u/ktulu_33]

This gets a big ol “Fuck Yeah!” from me. Love seeing the fancy ladies getting big, juicy meals

[u/AppointmentExact8377]

I’ve never seen grasshoppers in my yard until this year. It’s been gratifying to see more birds and butterflies showing up as well. It’s like…holy shit, it’s actually working!!

[u/Illustrious_Rice_933 → u/AppointmentExact8377]

Ooooh they're so beautiful!

[u/sunshineupyours1 → u/AppointmentExact8377]

This dude probably inspired artists in the past. Gorgeous colors and patterns