ladybugs (Coccinellidae)

The little red bug that keeps other bugs from overwhelming my garden and doesn't kill off everything else like the Pesticide Company products will do.

this ladybug is visiting an artichoke in my garden

there are usually hundreds of ladybugs wandering thru the garden searching for aphids and other little bugs to eat, sadly ,since I don't use pesticides there is usually plenty of dinner waiting for them.

Many mantids can be found also, but the ladybug is a far superior pest deterrant, the praying mantis by comparison is a large and ungainly animal that mostly just sits on a stick and waits for something to come by. the Ladybugs are out hunting all the time