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- Secrets in the vicinity of the moss -

Unexpected encounters in the tiny worlds at our feet



- J U M P ! ! ! - The warning yell rang out loudly as one of the much-feared lions* entered our colony. Many of us courageously dropped from a great height when we were caught unawares by a gust of wind that whirled us high into the air. Hovering for a moment far above, I was confronted with a scene of horror. The first of those left behind had already been devoured by the intruder. Those who jumped landed one by one far away from each other somewhere among grasses, bushes and trees.

When I reached the ground myself, I lost sight of them all. Unfamiliar smells hit me. Since then, I have discovered strange plants and creatures on my paths. But I haven't gotten very far yet. As one of the born wingless, I can't fly back.

It is already late in the year. The days are cool, the nights frosty. Just before the attack I mated. It's time to look for a place to lay my eggs so that the next generation can overwinter safely.

Sometimes, when a ray of sunshine unexpectedly hits me down here, I remember the carefree times. But wait .. !
Just now, it seemed as if something had moved not too far away. Life is a marvel with many surprises. Each day - a great gift! Nothing will stop me from looking to see who lives over there.
A friend perhaps?



Did you know that most aphid species lay eggs only before winter to survive the cold season? The eggs hatch into wingless females that give live birth. They clone themselves, so to speak, and give birth to daughters that also reproduce through the spring by virgin birth. They establish rapidly growing colonies of voracious females.
When it gets warmer, winged individuals emerge and fly to summer host plants to continue reproducing. Also, when the population becomes too large, winged offspring arise. In the fall, however, winged males also emerge. They follow the flying females to the winter hosts to mate with their daughters, who are then responsible for laying eggs.

As you probably know, aphids often live in symbiosis with ants. Recently I read that ants transport aphid eggs to their burrow for overwintering.

*The larva of the lacewing (Chrysopidae) eats up to 50 aphids per day, which has earned it the name "aphid lion" in German.

...........................................

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Description

- Secrets in the vicinity of the moss -

Unexpected encounters in the tiny worlds at our feet



- J U M P ! ! ! - The warning yell rang out loudly as one of the much-feared lions* entered our colony. Many of us courageously dropped from a great height when we were caught unawares by a gust of wind that whirled us high into the air. Hovering for a moment far above, I was confronted with a scene of horror. The first of those left behind had already been devoured by the intruder. Those who jumped landed one by one far away from each other somewhere among grasses, bushes and trees.

When I reached the ground myself, I lost sight of them all. Unfamiliar smells hit me. Since then, I have discovered strange plants and creatures on my paths. But I haven't gotten very far yet. As one of the born wingless, I can't fly back.

It is already late in the year. The days are cool, the nights frosty. Just before the attack I mated. It's time to look for a place to lay my eggs so that the next generation can overwinter safely.

Sometimes, when a ray of sunshine unexpectedly hits me down here, I remember the carefree times. But wait .. !
Just now, it seemed as if something had moved not too far away. Life is a marvel with many surprises. Each day - a great gift! Nothing will stop me from looking to see who lives over there.
A friend perhaps?



Did you know that most aphid species lay eggs only before winter to survive the cold season? The eggs hatch into wingless females that give live birth. They clone themselves, so to speak, and give birth to daughters that also reproduce through the spring by virgin birth. They establish rapidly growing colonies of voracious females.
When it gets warmer, winged individuals emerge and fly to summer host plants to continue reproducing. Also, when the population becomes too large, winged offspring arise. In the fall, however, winged males also emerge. They follow the flying females to the winter hosts to mate with their daughters, who are then responsible for laying eggs.

As you probably know, aphids often live in symbiosis with ants. Recently I read that ants transport aphid eggs to their burrow for overwintering.

*The larva of the lacewing (Chrysopidae) eats up to 50 aphids per day, which has earned it the name "aphid lion" in German.

...........................................

photo by