Flamingo Gardens is thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of two orphaned American black bear cubs, Bentley and Treena, donated by the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve, who will soon call Flamingo Gardens their forever home.
The young bears, now approximately 14 months old, were rescued in Georgia following a heartbreaking incident last year in the Bent Tree community, where their mother was tragically killed. After a dedicated community search effort, the cubs, later named Bentley and Treena in honor of the community that rescued them, were safely recovered and brought into care at Chestatee Wildlife Preserve.
Since being rescued and bottle-fed by wildlife caregivers, Bentley and Treena have become dependent on human care and cannot be released back into the wild. Flamingo Gardens is honored to provide them with a safe, enriching, and permanent habitat where they can thrive while helping inspire compassion and conservation awareness among guests of all ages.
“These bears have already touched the hearts of so many people,” said Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens. “Their journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and we are incredibly proud to provide them with a loving forever home while helping educate our community about wildlife conservation and coexistence.”
“Bentley and Treena will serve as important ambassadors for their species, helping visitors learn about the challenges facing wildlife and the importance of protecting native habitats and respecting wild animals in their natural environments,” said Michael Ruggieri, Senior Director of Wildlife at Flamingo Gardens.
Flamingo Gardens plans to introduce the bears to the public following their arrival and acclimation period, with special opportunities for guests, members, and supporters to welcome the cubs to South Florida.
The cubs’ rescue story drew widespread community support and regional attention in Georgia, highlighting both the emotional connection people have with wildlife and the importance of responsible human-wildlife interaction.
Please consider making a gift today to help these incredible animals continue to thrive at Flamingo Gardens. Your support provides the “Bear” necessities — nutritious food, enrichment, expert veterinary care, and safe lifelong habitats for our rescued bears. Every donation directly supports their health, comfort, and well-being.
Davie, FL — Calling All Nature Photography Enthusiasts. Flamingo Gardens hosts its own Camera Club, which meets monthly on the second Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in the Mary Porter Learning Center at the main entrance.
Each month, members use the Gardens’ beautiful botanical landscapes and resident wildlife as subjects for their photography assignments. Meetings typically begin with two hours of photography in the Gardens, followed by special guest presentations, educational lessons, and peer critiques of members’ submitted work.
Interested photographers are welcome to attend their first Camera Club meeting free of charge. Those who wish to continue participating must become members of Flamingo Gardens and pay annual Camera Club dues.
In April, the Camera Club was fortunate to welcome Ron Magill, Nikkon Ambassador and former Communications Director of Zoo Miami, as a guest presenter.
The upcoming meeting on Saturday, May 9, will feature two presenters:
Robert (Bob) Richardson
Bob Richardson began his photography journey in 1965 after purchasing his first single-lens reflex camera. His passion quickly grew, leading him to explore wedding photography in 1971, a field he pursued for approximately five years before transitioning into portrait photography. Eventually, he stepped away from professional photography when it became clear he could not leave his full-time career.
After a period away from the craft, Bob rediscovered photography with the rise of digital technology. Over the past 25 years, he has explored a wide range of subjects—focusing on nearly everything except people—while continuing to refine his artistic vision through landscapes, objects, and everyday scenes.
Robert L. Chaplin
Robert L. Chaplin considers the Everglades his photographic playground, and his enthusiasm for the region is contagious. In addition to being a fine art photographer, he is an educator, a founding director of the South Florida National Parks Camera Club, and the Philanthropic Chair of the Florida National Parks Association.
Chaplin also co-authored the photographic guide Everglades National Park: A Photographic Destination and designed the State of Florida’s “Florida Bay Forever” specialty license plate, which supports Everglades National Park. For more information about the Florida Bay Forever tag, visit the Florida National Parks Association to obtain a free voucher while supplies last. The guidebook is available in South Florida National Park bookstores.
For more information or to join the Flamingo Gardens Camera Club, contact: Beth Jarvis [email protected]
Flamingo Gardens, in collaboration with the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) and with support from the Community Foundation of Broward, officially opened the new Everglades Outdoor Classroom with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning, May 28. This interactive learning space brings the beauty of South Florida’s native ecosystems to life, offering guests of all ages a hands-on, immersive experience rooted in the biodiversity of the Everglades.
Left to right: Shannon Gallagher with Thunder the Bald Eagle; Tom Reinert, South Reginal Director of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Dr. Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson, President and CEO of Community Foundation of Broward; Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens; Town of Davie Mayor, Judy Paul; Jan Amador, President of Flamingo Gardens; and Joe Cox, CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS).
Set within the lush landscape of Flamingo Gardens, the Everglades Outdoor Classroom invites visitors to explore native species, uncover the delicate balance of natural ecosystems, and deepen their understanding of how the Florida Wildlife Corridor connects people, plants, and animals across the region.
As part of a countywide initiative, this outdoor classroom complements the Nature Explore Outdoor Exhibit that opened last month at MODS in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Together, the two campuses present a dual perspective on Broward County’s native environments—MODS focusing on urban wildlife and habitats, while Flamingo Gardens immerses guests in the natural splendor of the Everglades. Together, they tell a unified story of the incredible biodiversity of Florida Wildlife Corridor and the urgent need for conservation. Both campuses share a united goal to inspire a lifelong love of nature and foster the next generation of environmental stewards.
“We’re opening more than a new exhibit. We’re opening minds, sparking curiosity, and planting seeds of environmental stewardship that will grow for generations to come,” said Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens. “This outdoor classroom is a living, breathing space designed for hands-on discovery.”
What You’ll Discover
Interactive learning zones focused on native Everglades habitats and species
Sensory and nature play areas that encourage creativity and exploration
Educational signage and self-guided activities to inspire curiosity
Inclusive access features, expanding learning opportunities for children and adults with visual, hearing, or mobility challenges
Volunteer-led programs that empower community members to champion sustainability
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is also the first phase of Flamingo Gardens’ Everglades Discovery Trail—a series of future outdoor learning environments designed to deepen environmental literacy and conservation action.
A Community Effort
This dynamic new space would not be possible without the collaboration and generous support of our partners and funders. We extend our sincere gratitude to the following Funds at the Community Foundation of Broward:
Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund
Mary and Alex MacKenzie Community Impact Fund
The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation Broward Community Fund
Additional support has been provided by: • The State of Florida • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission • BBX Capital Foundation • Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund • Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation • Helen Ingham Foundation • JM Family Enterprises • Lakeside Foundation • And numerous private donors who believe in the power of education and conservation
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is a testament to the strength of collaboration and vision-driven philanthropy—and it marks just the beginning of what’s to come.
Explore. Learn. Connect. The Everglades are waiting.
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is included with general admission to Flamingo Gardens.
Two weeks ago, Flamingo Gardens suffered a heartbreaking loss when our beloved panther, Buddy, went into cardiac arrest during a medical examination. The procedure was prompted by a sudden and dramatic decline in his health, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to resuscitate him.
Buddy the Cougar Crouching. Photo by Kelly Coulson.
A necropsy conducted by Dr. Hirschfeld of Hirschfeld Veterinary Consulting, Inc., and confirmed by the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, revealed that Buddy had been suffering from severe congenital defects and multiple organ diseases—conditions that were ultimately shutting down his body. Most notably, he had microcardia—an abnormally small heart, comparable in size to that of a 12-pound domestic cat rather than a 120-pound panther. His heart’s thickened ventricles impaired its ability to function properly, making resuscitation impossible. In addition, he showed signs of advanced lung disease, liver and kidney failure, and fibrosis in multiple major organ systems.
Three-Month-Old Buddy Bathing. Photo by Laura Wyatt.
These congenital defects were almost certainly the result of inbreeding—a tragic consequence of captive breeding within the illegal wildlife trade. Whether taken directly from the wild or irresponsibly bred in captivity, trafficked animals face a lifetime of hardship. Buddy’s origins remain uncertain, but we know that he was found as a tame six-month-old cub wandering the streets of Parkland after escaping from an unpermitted residence where he had been illegally purchased. His genetic abnormalities strongly suggest that he was a product of reckless captive breeding, highlighting the devastating consequences of wildlife exploitation.
Buddy Resting. Photo by Lorenzo Cassina
Despite his underlying health conditions, Buddy was given six years of comfort and care thanks to the dedication of his caretakers at Flamingo Gardens. Panthers are masters at concealing illness, and had he remained in captivity without proper care, he would have endured a slow and painful decline. While his passing was inevitable given his condition, his loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.
Buddy on Rock. Photo by Miranda Bivens.
Buddy’s story is a powerful reminder of why we must continue to fight against wildlife trafficking and advocate for the protection of native species and their habitats. Though his life was tragically shaped by human greed, his final years were filled with love. In his memory, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and advocating for wildlife and so other animals do not suffer the same fate.
Flamingo Gardens’ Wildlife Rehabilitator Shannon Gallagher recently participated in an important project with the Wildlife Rescue of Dade County’s Bald Eagle Banding Day. As part of the project, Shannon successfully retrieved two six-week-old eaglets from their nest – 85 feet up in an Australian Pine tree – allowing the team to band them safely on the ground.
Now that these eaglets are banded, they can be tracked through banding reports, providing valuable insight into their movements and survival. In addition to banding, the team collected key biometrics, blood samples, and feathers to assess the eaglets’ health and determine their sex.
When asked about the importance of this process, Shannon explained, “Tracking migration patterns helps us understand where these eagles go, and if they don’t survive, we can retrieve their bodies and determine the cause of death. The bands are color-coded to their permit, making identification easier. Birds of prey are indicators of environmental health, so monitoring them is essential. Their size tells us a lot about their overall condition. Collecting biometrics is crucial, but tracking where they end up is even more important – we still have so much to learn about their journeys. After all, these things have wings.”
During the process, Shannon also removed litter from the nest, including a piece of clothing that had been brought in by an adult eagle. Items like this pose a serious choking hazard and entanglement risk, making their removal critical for their safety.
The nest where these eaglets hatched is part of the monitored Rose and Ron Eagle Nest Cam, which streams live on YouTube for public viewing. All of these acts were done under proper licensing and permitting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This eagle banding event will be featured on Jeff Corwin’s Extraordinary World on CBS, with an air date to be announced.
Shannon’s hope is, “that these eaglets are never touched by humans again and can live long and healthy lives.”
A special thank you to Lloyd Brown, CWR, for his mentorship and for providing Shannon with this incredible opportunity.
Thanks to grants from the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and the The Batchelor Foundation, as well as contributions from many generous donors from our 2023 Summer Appeal letter, the Owl Alley at Flamingo Gardens’ Bird of Prey Center has been completely rebuilt and is now open once again.
The new Owl Alley features four wood and wire aviaries, partially covered with a tin roof, and a covered walkway connecting to the Hawk Walk, recently rebuilt thanks to a grant from the Freed Family Foundation.
The new aviaries are home to house barn owls, great horned owls, barred owls, and screech owls. Each aviary is outfitted with new nesting boxes and perches. New signage is in the works. We greatly appreciate the support of the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and The Batchelor Foundation for their generous gifts, and the many others that donated to the campaign, as do the owls!
Pollinators are one of the most impacted populations by climate change. Bees, hummingbirds, bats, and butterflies are all facing unprecedented threats as they struggle to adapt and survive the changing rhythms of weather and the seasons. You can help save seven species of Florida butterflies just by providing these three host plants in your yard!
The native habitats and migration of butterfly populations have been disrupted by extreme and unpredictable weather patterns. Summer in some areas is becoming drier and hotter, and in other areas winter is lasting longer with more storms and blizzards.
Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Butterfly conservation data shows that increasing temperatures and changing bloom times of flowers are forcing many species of butterflies to alter their migration schedules and spread northwards and uphill in search of cooler more favorable temperatures while in search of their favored nectar sources and larval host plants.
Queen Butterfly (Danaus gilippus)
Nectar plants attract adult butterflies by supplying nectar. These plants vary in size, fragrance, and shape of the flower. All nectar plants have nectar that is sipped by the butterfly, but the plant is not eaten by them.
Julia Butterfly (Dryas iulia)
Butterfly species choose to lay their eggs on or near plants, (called host or larval plants), that their caterpillar phase will eat. Each species has a very narrow range of host plants that supply the necessary chemicals required for the proper nourishment and growth of the caterpillars.
Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia)
Butterfly conservation organizations agree that we can help our native butterfly populations become more resilient and more responsive to climate change by providing the proper host or larval plants in our landscape.
Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae)
Here are three easy-to-grow host plants you can grow in your backyard that will help sustain the seven different Florida native butterflies featured in this article!
1. Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)is a host plant for both the Monarch and Queen butterfly.
Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)
2. Corky stemmed passionflower (Passiflora suberosa) is a host plant for Julia, zebra longwing, and Gulf fritillary butterflies.
Corky stemmed passionflower (Passiflora suberosa)
3. Bahama Cassia (Senna Mexicana chapmanii) is a host plant for Orange-barred sulphur and Cloudless sulphur butterflies.
Bahama Cassia (Sennna Mexicana chapmanii)
When you plant these host plants be sure to place them in a sunny, low-traffic area. Provide some nectar plants nearby that are appropriate to your area. (In South Florida, firebush, pentas, lantana, verbena, plumbago, and blue porterweed are good choices and easily found.) Try to provide some larger plants nearby for shelter and a windbreak, preferable on the north-side of the garden, and provide a water source for drinking. Flat rocks in a sunny place allow a source for butterflies to warm themselves in the sun.
Orange-barred Sulphur (Phoebis philea)
Avoid pesticides in your garden as they will kill your butterflies. Instead, use a strong spray jet of water to rid plants of pests or hand-pick them from the plants, and use mulch to decrease the weeds. Choose natural organic or slow-release fertilizers with a low phosphorous level to help minimize phosphorous runoff to our waterways.
Cloudless Sulphur butterflies (Phoebis sennae)
With just a little effort and these three plants, you can attract these seven Broward County native butterflies to your yard and help them survive! If you wish to learn more about Florida butterflies and establishing a Butterfly Garden, the University of Florida has excellent information on Butterfly Gardening in Florida, here.
Note: The three plants listed in this article can be difficult to find. We recommend looking at nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants and/or butterfly plants. Flamingo Gardens is now propagating these plants in our nursery, and we hope to have these and other essential butterfly host plants for sale in the Gift Shop by the weekend.
Biologists are becoming more and more concerned that global climate change will drastically reduce biodiversity. Some biologists estimate that up to 35% of animals and plants could become extinct in the wild by 2050 due to global climate change- less than 30 years!
A 2020 World Wildlife Federation report claims that the population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles have experienced a 68% decrease since 1970 and freshwater species have declined as much as 84% already. (1)
South Florida and the Everglades is particularly susceptible to the effects of global warming and sea-level rise. Everglades plants and animals will be disproportionally affected as the ocean rises and saltwater infiltrates marshes and floods low-lying habitats.
The Center for Biological Diversity report has compiled a list of 350 species found in the United States and its territories which are threatened by climate change. (2) Ten Everglades species standout among the many Florida species included on the list.
Florida panther photo by Mike Levine
Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi)
The Florida panther is one of the most majestic, large felines in the wild, and tragically, it’s the only large feline remaining in the Southeast. Once abundantly found throughout Southeast United States, it is estimated there are fewer than 120 Florida panthers left in the wild.
Although habitat loss driven by Florida’s burgeoning human population is the greatest threat to Florida panthers, sea-level rise will inundate and eliminate a large portion of the panther’s remaining habitat in Florida’s low-lying Everglades.
Florida manatee photo by stammphoto
Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostrus)
Manatees, sometimes referred to as sea cows, are large, gentle aquatic marine mammals related to elephants that spend much of their time grazing on seagrasses and other vegetation in warm, shallow waters. The current population of manatees in Florida is thought to be between only 1,000 and 3,000.
The leading cause of death among manatees is boat strikes which kill them or leave lethal propeller wounds on the survivors; but starvation is quickly becoming a major cause of death as well. Sea-level rise and changes in water flow that increase water turbidity threaten the manatees’ main food source- the seagrasses that grow in shallow waters. Increased hurricane intensity and storm surge also impact their food supply, leading to starvation as well as impaired manatee health and reproduction.
Green sea turtle photo by pkphotoscom
Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Much knowledge about sea turtle ecology comes from studies of green sea turtles which migrate long distances between feeding grounds and hatching beaches. Sea turtles spend almost all their lives submerged but must breathe air, routinely diving for about five minutes and surfacing to breathe for one to three seconds.
Warming ocean temperatures are leading to mass coral bleaching which damage reef habitats where turtles feed, and changes in ocean currents are altering turtle migrations paths and feeding patterns. Rising sea levels may also inundate nesting beaches and the increased sand temperatures may lead to changes in the sex ratio of hatchling turtles.
Ivory tree coral photo courtesy of U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ivory tree coral (Oculina varicosa)
Ivory tree coral is home to various reef fish and considered a keystone species, meaning that its own health indicates the health of the ecosystem around it. These corals have been decimated by destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling, which have killed about 30 percent of the population across its range.
Today, corals like the ivory tree are among the species most threatened by greenhouse gas pollution. Warming ocean temperatures create frequent mass bleaching events that lead to widespread coral death and higher risk of disease.
Key deer photo by Joseph C. Boone
Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium)
The range of the key deer originally encompassed all of the lower Florida Keys but is now limited to a stretch of the Florida Keys from Sugarloaf Key to Bahia Honda Key. Despite a hunting ban imposed in 1939, widespread poaching and habitat destruction caused the subspecies to plummet to near-extinction levels by the 1950s. Strict protection measures have brought numbers up to between 300 and 800 today but global warming brings additional threats.
Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity that may largely eliminate the key deers’ upland habitat on the low-lying Florida Keys. Scientist predict that sea-level rise in this century will virtually eliminate the deers’ upland pine forest and hardwood hammock habitat on Big Pine Key.
Miami blue butterfly photo by J. Glassberg and North American Butterfly Association
Miami blue butterfly (Hemiargus thomasi bethunebakeri)
This small, metallic blue butterfly, native to South Florida, experienced its first major setback in the 1980s when coastal development exploded and Florida’s war on mosquitoes dispersed toxic chemicals throughout the butterflies’ range. Bahia Honda State Park in the Lower Florida Keys now houses the only wild population of Miami blues.
Global warming brings additional risks to this seriously imperiled species as sea-level rise threatens to inundate much of its habitat on low-lying Bahia Honda Key, and stronger hurricanes could devastate the remaining small, isolated population.
Cape Sable seaside sparrow photo by Lori Oberhofer
The Cape Sable seaside sparrow isn’t nicknamed the “Goldilocks bird” for nothing: For this little sparrow to survive, its habitat conditions have to be just right.
As sea level rises, the freshwater marshes inhabited by the sparrow are flooding and turning into mud flats and mangrove-dominated marine waters. Increasingly severe hurricanes due to global warming also threaten this birds’ chances for survival, since hurricanes can kill the tiny birds directly or alter the plant communities they rely on.
Choctawhatchee beach mouse photo courtesy of Earth.com
Technically, beach mice are not in the Everglades, but they do inhabit sand dunes along the Florida coasts where they burrow and excavate nests. Their burrows typically have a main hole that acts as a front door and a second hole, or back door, often used to escape predators.
That back door, however, won’t be much help in the fight against global warming and rising sea levels. With global warming producing rising tide lines and increasing storm surge, dune ecosystems face challenges, as does this tiny mouse.
Lower Keys marsh rabbit photo by Chad Anderson/USFWS
The Lower Keys marsh rabbit is an endangered subspecies of marsh rabbit with short, dark brown fur and a grayish-white belly. Marsh rabbits are more aquatic than swamp rabbits, taking to water readily, and are excellent swimmers because their hind legs have less fur and longer nails than typical cottontails.
Because they live on low-lying islands, marsh rabbits will lose most of their habitat with even moderate levels of sea-level rise.
Human beings in London photo by VV Shots
Human beings (Homo sapiens)
There are more than 6.8 billion human beings on Earth.
Health and climate scientists believe that global warming is already responsible for approximately 150,000 deaths each year, and they fear that number may well double by 2030. Global warming also contributes to approximately five million human illnesses every year by the increasing spread of infectious diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, creating conditions that lead to potentially fatal malnutrition and diarrhea, and increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves, droughts, floods, severe storms, and other weather-related disasters. Studies have also found a direct link between rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere and respiratory illness and asthma.
Visit the Center for Biological Diversity’s article, 350 Reasons We Need to Get to 350: 350 Species Threatened by Global Warming, to read how climate change is putting numerous species’ very existence at risk and what mechanisms are being triggered to make food webs collapse or habitats become less livable for particular animals or plants. You can read the species’ descriptions and look at photos of the species at risk in your home state through their interactive regional map.
Flamingo Gardens is celebrating the 30th Anniversary of our Free-flight Aviary which is home to permanently injured and non-releasable native wading birds and features the five unique ecosystems of Florida.
Aviary Construction 1990, Flamingo Gardens Archive
When Flamingo Gardens’ Free-flight Aviary opened in September of 1991, it was one of the first displays of its kind, giving a home to permanently injured Florida native wildlife and allowing visitors to experience them up close in a naturalistic setting. It took almost two years to construct, and originally contained only a couple dozen birds, representing nine bird species at the grand opening.
Aviary Opening 1991, Flamingo Gardens Archive
The Aviary was envisioned to be a living teaching museum representing the five unique ecosystems of Florida: coastal prairie, mangrove swamp, cypress forest, subtropical hardwood hammock, and sawgrass prairie. Plants were selected to be native to the ecosystem represented. Among the plants are bald cypress, gumbo limbo, pond apple trees, sea oats, and even mangroves.
Aviary Opening September 1991, Flamingo Gardens Archive
Today the Aviary boasts over 250 birds, representing 46 native species with the distinction of being the largest collection of Florida native wading birds in the state. The trees and plants are mature and the birds look much as they would in their natural settings in the Everglades.
Great Blue Heron in Aviary Mangroves by Lorenzo Cassina, 2013
Each spring visitors can experience the mating and nesting rituals of the birds, as nearly 100 baby birds on average are born each year in the Aviary. The babies are left in the care of the parents until they can fly, where upon they are released into the wild. In the last 30 years the birds in the Aviary have successfully bred over 3,000 birds which have been released back into the wild.
Juvenile Green Herons in Aviary 2011, Flamingo Gardens Archive
Thanks to a grant from The Batchelor Foundation, the Aviary has recently been given a new facelift. Most noticeable is the new open-air Aviary entrance, but improvements also include a thorough cleaning and painting of the steel structural columns, and de-mucking of the ponds and waterways.
New Aviary Entrance, 2021
Stop by and visit the newly refreshed Aviary as we celebrate its 30 years of enjoyment to visitors of Flamingo Gardens, but more importantly to the thousands of birds that have called it home over the decades!
There are approximately 1 million described species of insects in the world and it is believed that there are at least 4 million more species that have yet to be named. Insects represent three-fourths of all described animal species on the planet. Even more than that, there are believed to be an estimated 10 quintillion individual living insects, making them the largest animal population on the planet!
Many insects can be pests, whether they are bed bugs or crop destroyers, but not all insects are bad. In fact, there are quite a few that are beneficial to the environment.
There are some insects that can be particularly beneficial at keeping harmful insects under control. Predatory bugs will hunt other invertebrates which can help keep plants safe from non-beneficial bugs.
Assassin bug (photo credit: www.insectpod.com)
Assassin bugs are one of these predatory bugs. They kill their prey by injecting it with a toxin that dissolves the victim’s tissue which it then sucks up with its proboscis.
Praying Mantis (photo credit: Lorenzo Cassina)
Praying Mantis are not picky eaters and will eat just about any other non-poisonous bug, which can be very beneficial to gardeners suffering plant damage from pests.
Dragonfly (photo credit: cff2.earth.com)
Dragonflies and damselflies are also predatory as both the nymph and the adult eat other insects and are particularly important to reducing mosquito and mosquito larvae populations. Damselflies are smaller and have slimmer bodies than dragonflies, and fold their wings up and along their body when at rest, unlike dragonflies which hold their wings out flat and away from the body.
Pirate bug (photo credit: Ho Jung Yoo)
The minute pirate bug is an easily overlooked beneficial insect. They feed greedily on small organisms such as leafhoppers, aphids, thrips, and mites. They naturally occur in crops and are highly attracted to flowers where they also feed on pollen.
Ladybugs (photo credit: Lorenzo Cassina)
Ladybugs are one of the more popular beneficial insects. Ladybugs, aka lady beetles, are widely used to keep aphids under control.. They will also eat mites, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies, small caterpillars, beetle grubs, and all types of insect eggs.
Honey bee (photo credit: Chris Mahler)
Honey Bees are one of the most beneficial insects. Honey bees are essential to the proper pollination of consumable foods. Without honey bees, foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, blueberries, and a large variety of fruits, vegetables, and nuts would not be pollinated. Without pollination, approximately one-third of our food crops would be decreased. In addition, honey sales contribute millions of dollars of revenue to the economy each year.
Zebra longwing butterfly (photo credit: Lorenzo Cassina)
Many other insects also serve as pollinators. Most people know that in addition to honey bees, butterflies and moths are also pollinators, but several species of ants, beetles, and even some wasps are pollinators as well.
Echinacea, or coneflowers (photo credit: Lorenzo Cassina)
Like many other species of birds and animals, beneficial insects are threatened with declining habitat, pollution, and use of pesticides. You can help protect beneficial insects by minimizing your use of pesticides and attract them to your yard by providing plants which attract these insects. Such plants include alfalfa, cilantro, cosmos, dandelions, dill, echinacea, fennel, marigold, milkweed, parsley, Queen Anne’s lace, rose, rudbeckia, sunflowers, wildflowers, yarrow, and zinnia to name just a few.
To learn more about insects, visit the new Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! exhibit on display in the Gallery at Flamingo Gardens between May 29 and September 6, 2021. Gallery hours are 10am to 4:00pm seven days a week.
