The Odd Couple

Flea Beetle and Snail, originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

The garden is full of these neat little beetles every year. I especially love their golden syrup amber colour. The swollen rear femoral leg sections allow them to jump powerfully, giving them their common name of 'Flea Beetle'. This species is Aphthona flava, but there are many others in the UK, all tiny, such as Phyllotreta nemorum and members of the Altica genus.

I chanced upon this one sitting happily and cutely on the shell of a small snail. The photo opportunity was too good to miss. :)

Garden Slug (Arion ater)

Garden Slug (Arion ater), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

In the north of the UK, this slug is predominately black, whereas here in the south is is predominantly yellow. It has a distinctive black and orange striped skirt and can get very large indeed. This individual was over 15cm long when at full stretch.

A couple of these big ones have drowned in the pond recently, so I steered this guy away as he seemed to be heading for the same fate. I guess they can't get to the beach area or onto the plants in time.

I've learned to grow things that can survive a slug and snail onslaught, or that they dislike eating, as I figure they have every right to be in my garden. They may repulse some people, but to me they are beautiful and wonderfully simple yet successful animals. Hopefully the pond will attract plenty of things to eat them and so control their numbers naturally.

Garden Snail (Helix aspersa)

Garden Snail (Helix aspersa), originally uploaded by Pipsissiwa.

Whilst I, like all gardeners, fight an endless war against slugs and snails, I actually love them too. They are amazing, simple, but successful animals, and I love watching them all on a rainy morning making their way around the garden. Their textured skin is amazing, and the feel of that muscular foot as it ripples over your hand is unique. And baby snails are utterly squee-worthy. I won't kill them, and I figure they have as much right as anything else to be in the garden, so I've learnt to grow stuff they don't eat. Much easier and kinder than the unwinnable battle to eradicate them.