I've didn't feel like gardening during the summer months. I was focused on other things and pushed it down my "To Do" list.
Now, that Autumn has hit, with March being my favourite month of the year I felt the urge to start to clean up the garden and plant some Broad Beans.
When I was looking to turn over my little compost bin, I found that an ant colony had moved in.
I had put a brick in there to help squash things down & they've made their home there. They are only tiny little ants.
I love ants having a variety of species in my yard is a blessing.
My sad tale from my youth is that I could never raise a successful ant colony due to the area being dominated by the dreaded Argentine Ant.
For the past 10 years the Argentine Ant has had a decline which has allowed other species to florish.
This colony has even moved onto the dry grasses next the brick.
The colony must be reasonably progressed to have this many pupae.
Although, being a smaller ant species they would probably have a quick maturing process. Their pupae is a very yellow colour.
Normally, the ants I've kept have had a whiter coloured pupae.
So, I didn't turn this compost bin, they can enjoy their home for a while longer. I'm curious to see if they have any elates.
Their virgin royals could possibly do their nuptial flight in late March/April.
Also, I ran into my 2nd ever yellow coloured Praying Mantis.
They tend to enjoy it when my backyard is rough, with high grasses and prickles. They do like laying their eggs amongst prickly places.
And the green version the other day.
