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Post by Mumsey on Jan 13, 2022 5:36:17 GMT -5
I'll up that! I will trade 10 mosquitoes and 20 JB's for one cricket!
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Post by gb98 on Jan 13, 2022 8:54:09 GMT -5
desertwoman, pepperhead212, I don't think they hibernate. I always thought they lay eggs, die and then a new generation hatches in the spring into larvae, then adults emerge at different times depending on species. Back when I lived in NJ, the adult crickets there usually emerged in late July. Here in MA, I hear some cricket species in late May. If you listen carefully, different species have different songs. Ironically, the cricket songs we find relaxing and soothing are actually males staking their territory in search of females.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jan 13, 2022 12:05:55 GMT -5
This thread reminds me that I don't recall hearing many (if any) crickets this year. They do manage to get in the basement, but I guess it doesn't really bother me as their songs are pleasant. I also don't recall seeing many lightning bugs this year. I used to enjoy sitting on the porch and watching their displays.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jan 14, 2022 1:30:34 GMT -5
Do crickets hibernate? They can go into a state of suspended animation called diapause, during which the cells cease all activities and they can even freeze and later revive. Explains why the aphids survive on my brassicas all winter and are impervious to neem and other stuff that usually kills them. sciencing.com/crickets-hibernation-state-cold-12051048.html
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Post by desertwoman on Jan 14, 2022 10:13:19 GMT -5
Thanks gardendmpls, Diapause-that's fascinating. Never have heard a cricket in winter, before this.
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Post by reuben on Jan 18, 2022 8:01:25 GMT -5
I've heard of other animals that can freeze and recover. I think some frogs fell into this category.
It's an interesting world.
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Post by gb98 on Jan 18, 2022 8:43:11 GMT -5
I know there are some caterpillars that can freeze solid and then come back to life when they thaw out. I believe ticks and bedbugs can do this too.
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 2, 2022 17:42:58 GMT -5
Inspected my native white milkweed (A. variegata), and there they were....
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 7, 2022 17:50:48 GMT -5
Getting fat and happy. I told them to chow on down, that's what the milkweed is for. They said, "We know. Thanks."
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Post by pepperhead212 on May 7, 2022 23:00:30 GMT -5
I just discovered, by accident, that a flower I'm growing for the first time this year - the Mexican Sunflower - is something that monarchs like. I'm planting it up front, with some zinnias, in between the Earthboxes of okra. They are much slower germinating, than zinnias - I'll remember that next season, if I grow them again.
I tried planting some milkweed seeds last year, behind my shed, but never found any, then or this spring.
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Post by gb98 on May 11, 2022 18:23:13 GMT -5
I tried planting some milkweed seeds last year, behind my shed, but never found any, then or this spring. Were they cold stratified? If not, they won't come up until this year.
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Post by pepperhead212 on May 11, 2022 20:51:19 GMT -5
gb98 No, didn't cold stratify them. Maybe they will show up during this season!
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Post by gb98 on May 12, 2022 6:17:17 GMT -5
gb98 No, didn't cold stratify them. Maybe they will show up during this season! They will probably come up this year. Don't expect them to sprout until the soil temps are above 70.
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Post by Wheelgarden on May 15, 2022 18:14:14 GMT -5
Question about Monarchs...do the caterpillars make their chrysalis on the host milkweed, or do they migrate to another nearby plant to do that? And when do they do that? This stupid gardener needs to know.
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Post by gb98 on May 15, 2022 19:02:34 GMT -5
Wheelgarden , When the caterpillars are ready to pupate, they leave the milkweed plant and find another spot. I have found crysali hanging from a fence nearby my milkweed patch. When depends on where you are located. I'm sure down where you are, you will see them early as you are one of the first stops in their migration. Up here in Massachusetts, we start seeing caterpillars in late July/early August.
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