If you read my 4th of July post, you may remember that last year I made a very important (and extremely niche) discovery: tiny little ants were happily eating the insides of a dead spotted lantern fly (stage:FULL GROWN).
Naturally, I did what any responsible backyard scientist would do—I searched the internet.
Nothing.
No answers. No articles. No “yes, ants do this.” Just me, my backyard, and a group of suspiciously enthusiastic ants slowly dismantling a lantern fly from the inside out.
Fast-forward to this year, and suddenly the internet is full of people saying, “Yep, ants eat dead lantern flies.”
Interesting.
Am I saying someone stole my research?
…I’m just asking questions.
Meanwhile, I keep hearing the same thing:
“I haven’t seen many baby lantern flies this year.”
To which I always respond:
You’re not looking close enough.
They’re out there. Everywhere.
The molting has already happened, which means they’re bigger, faster, and somehow even more annoying. Case in point: this very morning I walked outside to find ants hosting what can only be described as an all-you-can-eat lantern fly buffet on my patio chair. Moments later, another lantern fly met its fate courtesy of my trusty spray bottle.
Another successful field operation.
Side note: while we’re discussing backyard villains… can we talk about house sparrows?
Tiny birds. Massive attitude.
These little guys may look harmless, but they are invasive, aggressive, and notorious for stealing nesting spots, destroying eggs, killing native chicks, and even poking out the eyeballs of other birds. Truly an unbelievable amount of drama (and noise) packed into such a tiny creature.
Last summer, I thought I was imagining things. I watched a female cardinal sitting on a nest in my yard with my own two eyes. The next day? A house sparrow…
Turns out, I may have witnessed a hostile takeover.
Nature is beautiful. Nature is fascinating.
Nature is also completely unhinged.
ZOE ANN LARSON 