Insect Invaders in Our Home Garden

CAUGHT! A Bactrocera cucurbitae fruit fly adult 

The adult melon fruit fly emerged from an infested bittergourd

The highly persistent melon fruit flies were still able to access the protective enclosure

A young predator has emerged and is now on the prowl

An Assassin Bug Nymph

Assassin Bugs are mean predators of other garden insects

Its truly awesome what amazing creatures can thrive in just a little garden patch

Just a few days ago, my lovely wife and my daughter sent me amazing photos of their encounter with insect invaders in our little home garden. They were able to grow bittergourd (Momordica charantia), and the plants were already bearing fruit. On a developing fruit they were able to observed a Bactrocera cucurbitae, melon fruit fly which was caught on the protective plastic enclosure upon its emergence as an adult. On the leaves there were nymphs of the ferocious predatory insect, Assassin Bugs! 

The Melon Fruit Fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE)

The Melon Fruit Fly is a widespread and well-known phytophagous insect pests. It considered  a major agricultural pest and is reported to attack over 125 varieties of plants including cucurbits, tomatoes and other vegetables in Asia, Africa and the island states in Oceania. 

The Bactrocera cucurbitae adults are larger than the houseflies, can measure 6-8mm long. They have yellowish brown bodies with  a distinct yellow spot above the first pair of its leg. They have dark brown head and eyes. A brown spot can be seen on the margin of its wings.

The female fruit fly can lay 1000 eggs. These eggs are laid directly on the fruits and on the succulent stem on the host plant. Upon hatching the larvae readily attack the fruit,, feeding and developing inside. Total development can take 12-28 days. Adults can live up to one year. Because of the mobility and high egg-laying capacity of the melon fruit flies, they can inflict serious damage to vegetable crops.

Assassin Bugs (HEMIPTERA: REDUVIIDAE)

If there are insects you want  to be on your team and protecting your plants, these are the predacious Assassin Bugs! Also called Kissing Bugs - they render the kiss of death to their insect prey!

There are around 3000 species of  Assassin Bugs reported worldwide. 

These insect killers have a characteristic curved, dagger-shape mouth parts called the "rostrum" which they use to kill prey. An Assassin Bug will attack, pierce its victim, injecting venom to digest the body organs and then suck their prey. They can devour insects like aphids, leaf hoppers, and caterpillars. They can also attack insects much larger than themselves. They can also use their rostrum for defense! Now that's what you call a "mean insect"!

Even though they are beneficial predatory insects, Assassin Bugs are known to attacked and sting humans and other animals, so be very careful when spotted!  Their sharp rostrum can pierce human skin. The sting is painful and can lead to swelling. The pain however, will wear-off and rarely needs medical attention.

A phytophagous Melon fruit fly and predacious Assassin Bugs all observed in our little home garden. Truly Awesome that amazing creatures can thrive in such a small vegetable garden patch!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

House Crows (Corvus splendens) Encounter at the Dubai Creek Park (Part 1)

 

A House Crow foraging on the park grounds

A House Crow alight a tree branch observing and scheming its next move

Jet-black body plumage combined with distinct gray segments

Sharing the foraging ground with the Indian Mynah and the Hoopoe

The "crow gang" squawking up in the branches

A large group of crows is called a "MURDER"

Generalist and highly adaptable House Crows will take advantage of whatever is available

This group looks like they are discussing their next "food raid"

House Crows engaged in securing their portion from a  left-over bread loot 

Dark silhouette of a sinister, opportunistic and highly intelligent bird 

My quiet bright summer morning stroll at the Dubai Creek Park was broken by the resounding squawking sound of "kaa, kaaa, kaaa" emanating from the heights of the tree branches. A large group or avidly called "murder" of crows occupied the trees. These birds were monitoring my approach, watching me as I step closer and closer to their arboreal territory, the squawking sound getting louder and louder! The alerted birds were moving from branch to branch and unto the adjacent trees, still squawking and eyes still focused on the explorer-intruder. The loud squawking only ceased when I picked-up my pace and moved away from their choice trees. 

THE HOUSE CROW, Corvus splendens

House crows are medium-sized birds, weighing 250-415g, with a wing span of 76-85cm and a body length of 42-44cm. 

The nape, neck and breast are grayish while the whole body plumage is jet-black along with its forehead, chin, the long bill and long legs. Males and female crows are similar in appearance. The juveniles appear duller in color compared with the adults.

The scientific name Corvus splendens means "shining raven".  

They are also called the Indian, Greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo Crow.

DISTRIBUTION of HOUSE CROWS, Corvus splendens 

House crows are a native of the Indian subcontinent, including the whole of India, Pakistan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. These birds have been introduced are now present in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf countries, Eastern and Southern Africa. It is also now present in Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore. The spread of these birds is associated with shipping trade routes (the birds were chance passenger and stowaways on the ships carrying goods from the subcontinent). 

Corvus splendens are omnivores, opportunistic and highly intelligent. They are regarded as specialist, urban commensal birds. They are very gregarious and can become aggressive. They are also listed as INVASIVE BIRD species.

Awesome summer morning bird watching experience!

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

MORE NOTES on BIODYNAMICS will be discussed on PART 2.   

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

A Dragonfly Encounter at the Meydan, Dubai

Like a helicopter on top of a hill - a dragonfly gets ready for take off

Soaring rapidly and confidently on top of the water surface - Paragomphus spp.

In flight and on the hunt, a dragonfly flies above the water

Notice the tiny ripples on the water surface as the dragonfly flies by

A turbo-charged chase above the water surface  

Whenever I see dragonflies, it is like watching helicopter gunships darting into the sky en route to their target zones. You can see and feel the speed, the power and the agility of these flying insect hunters! It was truly an awesome challenge and opportunity to photograph these insects mid-air and above the water surface at the Meydan.

Dragonflies, (ODONATA-ANISOPTERA) 

Dragonflies are predaceous, strong flying insects characterized by their elongated bodies, a pair of large, multi-lenses eyes (these eyes occupy the majority of the space of the head) and two pairs of strong transparent wings. These wings are positioned horizontally both when in flight and when at rest.  

The term ODONATA (toothed-ones) refer to the very strong serrated mandibles that they possessed. They can rip apart insect prey with the used of these awesomely strong mouth parts!

Adult males have thinner abdomen with a narrow waist at the top, it bears an accessory genitalia for copulation located at segment 2 of its abdomen. The females have thicker abdomen which bear a distinct egg ovipositor located at segment 8-9. 

Distribution of Dragonflies

Dragonflies are found world-wide. Associated with fresh aquatic environments like lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wadis. There are over 6000 species of dragonflies currently reported. Here in the UAE, 27 species have been recorded. Half of these species are locally breeding but the rest are migratory, passing through as they wander over the vast distances in search for food, mate and a suitable water habitat.

Biodynamics Notes

Dragonflies are amphibiotic species (inhabits all kind of fresh water habitats). Eggs are laid near the water habitat and hatches into a predatory larvae (NAIAD) which spends almost 2-6 years of development under water. Depending on the species and conditions they can molt up to 17 times! These naiads are ferocious predators and hunt underwater for insect larvae, tadpoles and even small fish. The naiads will leave there underwater home and emerge as terrestrial adults. 

The newly emerged dragonflies (tenerals) are paler in color. Sexually mature dragonflies are more brighter and colorful. In some species, the over mature turned darker in color. 

The adult dragonflies are ferocious aerial hunters. They can capture prey in mid-air. They conduct calculated aerial raids against mosquitoes, gnats and other small insects. They grab there prey with there powerful, spines laden legs.  These hunts are so quick, efficient and effective that the success rate was recorded to reach as high as 95%  (now that is what you call a TOP PREDATOR)!

Dragonflies are not harmful to humans. They might look a little scary because of their large eyes, freaky mandibles and camouflaged stream-lined body but these predators are actually beneficial insects. They will not attack humans and their mandibles cannot penetrate human skin.

A dragonfly can hunt and consumed hundreds of mosquitoes a day! They are also referred to as "mosquito-hawks". Thus, helping us biologically in reducing the pest population! 

Dragonflies are also what naturalists call "bio-indicator species", there prevalence or absence in a fresh water environment reveals the level of "water purity and pollution". 

Truly awesome dragonflies! So let's protect these beneficial insects! 

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!

Of Termites, Mud Tunnels and the Need for the PMPs to Reconsider The Basics

Numerous termites mud tunnels criss-crossing the wall of a new villa

Details of the mud tunnel imprints on the wall behind a heavily damaged cabinet

Mud tunnel emerging from the corner of the door frame and air con vent

Emerging from a cable outlet plate

Mud tunnels and termites infestation also present on the the wooden baseboards 

After the Eid Holidays, I was requested by property owners and by our PMP partners for technical support to conduct inspection and assessment of grandiose, newly built properties. These costly properties exhibited active termite infestation and were affected by sporadic termite damage. Mud tunnels, live termites and damaged wooden components litter the inner scape of the property, much to the dismay of the property owner. In one conversation, the property owner confided "we had this property treated for termites during its construction, this property is just a few years old, we have been cheated by the company." Thus, the adage, PREVENTION is Better than CURE, but in relation to these technical support visits, I would like to say that "the post operative procedures will be more traumatic than the initial operation itself." To rectify the extensive termite damage will be costly.     

Thanks for your support and careful attention. 

If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com

The Desert Tree (A Poem of Appreciation and Inspiration)

The Desert Tree

The desert tree,

Standing tall daily.

Facing the rays of the sun,

Enduring the blows of the wind,

Awaiting the fall of the rain,

Resisting the onslaught of marauding termites,

Welcoming the arrival of nesting birds,

Providing shade to the tired explorer.

The desert tree, 

Standing tall daily.

(a poem of appreciation and inspiration)

Awesome creation! Awesome CREATOR!  

 

A Rainy Summer Day Hike at the Al Shawkha Trail, Ras Al Khaimah

 

Thick, dark clouds blanketing the Al Hajjar mountain trail sky

The sunrise was not visible on the mountain trail 

Varying degrees of gray and blue enveloped the rolling mountains of Al Hajjar

Light beams piercing the darkness 

Rolling thunder, rain shower, gusty wind while hiking. Magnificent!

 A sampler of the strong gust of wind on top of the mountain trail

Truly awesome! Thick clouds, thunderstorm, strong gust winds and RAIN: the weekend weather forecast for the Shawkha Trail, RAK. The intensifying summer conditions has prohibited me from going up the trail for the past months. The news of summer rain is such a welcome relief! It quickly led me to prepare my gear! I will never miss this chance to be drenched in summer rain, fill my ears with the intense sound of the mountain wind and the roaring thunder, and march in my boots on the wet mountain rocks, sand and soil.

No wildlife photographs today just the magnificence of the scenery of my rainy day mountain hike. 

Awesome creation! Awesome CREATOR!

The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies above proclaim His handiwork (Psalm 19:1, ESV)    

An Encounter with the Eurasian Hoopoe at the Dubai Creek Park

 

The Hoopoe is also called the Hudhud

The Hoopoe displays a distinct crown of feathers 

Notice the distinct black and white zebra pattern on its wings

The long, downward curve bill is mainly use for foraging

The Hoopoe is a solitary forager which feeds directly on the ground

Striding on the park grounds in search for food

Morning has broken, the sun was beginning to fill the sky with its radiance, the grass was still moist on the grounds of the Dubai Creek Park but the birds were already out-and-about. High upon the tree branches you could hear the chirping and squawking of different bird species. It was not the chirping and squawking birds that caught my attention during this expedition, but it was the awesome solitary forager, with its grandiose crest and zebra stripes, the Hoopoe or Hudhud.          

The Eurasian Hoopoe Bird or Hudhud (Upupa epops)

The hoopoe got its name from the sound of the cry of the bird. 

The Eurasian Hoopoe is pinkish-brown in color, with striking black and white, zebra pattern wings, a long, down- curved beak or bill and a long pinkish-brown crest with dark brown markings.  This grandiose crest is raised when the bird is excited. 

Distribution of the Eurasian Hoopoe 

This majestic bird is found in Europe, Asia, North Africa, Northern Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.  \

Biodynamics Notes

Hoopoes or Hudhuds are solitary foragers and feeds directly on open ground. It strides thru open ground and probes the ground with its long, down curved bill. Insect larvae and pupae are detected by their bill which can be directly extracted or dug further from the soil with the aid of its strong feet. They can also locate insects on the surface of piles of leaves, on stones and the bark of trees.  

The Hoopoes can scoop insects and beat them on hard, rough surfaces to remove the undigestible parts like wings, legs and other insect parts. 

There diet is composed mainly of insects, small reptiles and frogs, and sometimes seeds and berries. 

Hoopoes are monogamous, with this bond lasting only for a breeding season. The female bird stays with the eggs inside their tree hole nest while the male forages for food. The brooding female produces a foul smelling secretion that resembles rotting meat which deters predators. (Stinky nest defense mechanism).

The males are territorial. They are observed to stab rival birds with their long bills. They can joust in mid-air which may result in the blinding of their opponent. (That is some serious rivalry!) 

These majestic birds are truly awesome! 

Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR! 

(This feature on the magnificent Hoopoe bird is specially dedicated to my lovely, graceful, smart and ever supportive collaborator and daughter, Odette, who is celebrating her birthday on July 12th. Happy happy birthday awesome young lady!)