New discovery…
This evening, during my routine perimeter check, I did not find a single spotted lantern fly.
Not one.
I walked the yard once. Nothing.
I walked it again because surely I had overlooked one.
Still nothing.
Just days ago, this place was crawling with them. In fact, one jumped on me just yesterday when I was simply enjoying a nice afternoon read in the yard. I doubted my peers when they said “I haven’t seen any around here…” and now…
Now… I’m just a crazy lady with a spray bottle staring at branches for no reason.
I’m not declaring victory—I’ve learned that nature has a way of humbling you the second you think you’ve figured it out. But after last year’s discoveries (which I documented before they became common knowledge), I’ve decided it’s important to document these observations as they happen, not months later.
Here’s what I can’t stop thinking about…
My yard has suddenly been full of gray catbirds.
Could they be the reason the lantern flies seemingly disappeared? Was I taking all of the credit for something nature was taking control of itself? Are they the (not so) quiet heroes who are eating them and leaving the remains for the ants? A full circle moment? (Spray bottle not needed…)
Then I had a very unsettling thought…
… what if it’s the house sparrows? What if this eye poking invader is the hero…
Listen… I don’t like where this is going either.
After all the slander I’ve published about those little feathered delinquents, this would be an extraordinary plot twist.
But a true nature detective MUST follow the evidence.
For now, these are simply the facts:
- No lantern fly sightings during perimeter check
- Unusually high number of gray catbirds (as well as common grackles…another potential player in this)
- The investigation never ends…
- Now my neighbors definitely think I’m crazy
- Particles react differently when observed
ZOE ANN LARSON 