Party at the Fig Tree

Apparently my Brown Turkey Fig is THE place to hang out if you are one of the "bad boys" in the garden. I use this term loosely because I actually love having all these insects around!


I found this praying mantis tucked away on the underside of a fig leaf.


She watched me closely turning her head to keep an eye on me at every angle.


This baby katydid camouflaged herself very well. Can you see her? Her body is aligned with the stem of the fig leaf and her legs are spread mimicking the veins on the leaf. Very clever indeed!


This larger katydid was simply trying to blend in hoping I wouldn't see her. She kept very still while I poked my lens in her face.


This one wouldn't have any of it and decided to saunter off to find a quieter place.

These bearded robber flies really took a shine to each other. And you guessed it, on my fig tree! (A shout out to Elachee Nature Center, my local nature preserve, who helped identify these flies for me.)


Here is a closer look at this cool insect. They feed on other insects especially deer flies and horse flies but also flying ants and grasshoppers. They overtake them in flight at high speeds. I can tell you they made a lot of noise when they came in for a landing.


The large leaves on the fig tree make an excellent landing pad for the winged creatures in my garden and a great hiding place for those predators waiting to attack their prey. Not to mention it provides delicious fruit for us (and the birds).

I am linking up today with Camera Critters.

Comments

  1. Interesting photos Karin and you captured some great close up shots. You must really be good sneaking up on them. :)
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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  2. I had a robber fly in my garden a few days ago and had no idea they are good insects. Anything that dispenses a grasshopper or flying ant can procreate in my garden. LOL. Great photos Karin.

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  3. Wonderful post of some great helpers in the garden! Happy Critter Day!

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  4. I love finding new bugs in my garden but I'm rotten at sneaking up on them and taking their picture. Your photos have helped me ID the bugs that were too fast for me. :o) I LOVE praying mantis! So cool!!!

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  5. Since I'm a bug freak, I really enjoyed this post! I wanna come hang out at your fig tree for awhile ;-)

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  6. I love seeing a praying mantis...they are always welcome in my garden. You took some amazing photos...as usual. I enjoyed the view of your 'camera critters.'

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  7. Great shots of all the insects, they ar hard to even find.

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  8. Your figtree seems to be the place to gathering captures for CC! Amazing pics.

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  9. Great captures! I've never seen a katydid, now I know why. Great blenders.

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  10. Karin these are the garden parties I love...following critters around the garden or discovering them...wonderful pics

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  11. Those crazy katydids sure make a lot of noise!!! Worse than cidacas, I think. First time I've heard them is when we were in Georgia this summer on vacation. Maybe it's just because they start up about the time I want to go to sleep :-) I just realized I haven't seen any praying mantises in my garden this year. Maybe they don't like the heat either!

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  12. You haven't had rain since May?? :( I didn't realize it was that bad!!! Are your summers usually this dry?

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  13. Great information! And wonderful photography. I must get a fig tree!!!

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  14. Ha ha!! I can live without the Katydids! But love the Mantis and Robber flies! The Robber flies are SO fun! I've re named them Dobby flies this summer as they remind me of Dobby on the Harry Potter movies. They will even sit on your hand if you are gentle with them! Fun photos Karin!

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One of my favorite things about blogging is the conversation with readers. Leave a comment and let's get talking. ~Karin

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