In my last post I metioned a rare beneficial I found in my garden….this one was colorful, large and covered with white spots. I learned recently that it helps fight all bugs but most especially Japanese Beetles. I was most interested in this since they are eating my pole beans and I am not likely to get any for my own table. It seems that this beneficial leaves a white dust on the plants that the Japanese beetles are attracted to….they eat the dust and then when they consume water they explode. I have seen the part where they eat the dust but I have not had the pleasure of seeing the little explosions….but I can just picture it in my mind….little “pops” all over my garden and small puffs of smoke rising into the air….I wonder if I can hear it in the still of the night.
Here is a picture of the beneficial right after “dusting” all the plants with the powder…also known as self-rising flour 🙂 Isn’t it the CUTEST bug you have ever seen? One I definitely plan on keeping! It is amazing to me that this little 8 year old “bug” was able to cover himself as much as the plants when he walked down the aisles using my battery powered sifter (hey when you bake as much as I do you LOVE the battery powered sifter!)
This has probably turned into Elijah’s favorite job…right after picking flower bouquets, squash, cherry tomatoes and bugs!
He is a handy helper in the garden and I am thankful for the many things he does – especially the squishing bugs part!
His brothers were stringing up tomatoes during his flour
frenzy and I was busy cutting back the cukes that were overtaking their neighbors!
This next picture gives you an idea of the ring left around the tub after this bath – quite a combination of black and white! He is inspecting my trim
job on the cukes – and encouraging me that I have done a good job. Elijah is the exhorter in our family – he always has something nice to say to everyone…good job, great meal, delicious dessert, nice try…..it must be a gifting from God because I have never seen anything like it in the natural!
I look at this picture and TRY to assure myself that he didn’t stand directly under the sifter…..but I am not quite able to convince myself 🙂
I have also decided that I know what bug family he came from – stink bugs! Oh, not because he has an odor…in fact he
has the most delicious smell in the world….I think it is more the resemblance to the species…check out this last picture and tell me if you don’t agree that you can just see the “stinker” in him!
Next post……. Mullein!
The Essential Herbalist 
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