Tiny wasp

One more insect video. I rescued this chalcidoid wasp from our cat's water bowl in the garage. It was teeny tiny! This one may in the subfamily of Eupelminae. 

A diving beetle

Look what I found yesterday when we were fishing for gambusia (so we could rehome them). A mottled diving beetle (Thermonectus nigrofasciatus)! So cool. This morning we rehomed the gambusia and my diving beetle. I have no clue how this beetle found our stock tank pond, but I have an inquiry out and hope to solve that mystery. But apparently, diving beetles can fly long distances in search of new places to live. 

 

Oh, be sure and check out my video below. These beetles come up for air, then dive back down and release used air (I think) from their bottom end. Watch for the two bubbles from my beetle's butt.  

Gambusia rehomed

 

It was quite a project, but yesterday afternoon we rounded up all the gambusia from the stock tank pond. The mottled diving beetle went, too. This morning, we drove everyone east of Blanco to Duan and Tanja's pond. What a nice pond! Lots of golfish and tadpoles. My gambusia will fit right now. Thanks, y'all!

 

 

Good by, stock tank pond

The end of a backyard era. Nearly 14 years! And yes, I got a little teary eyed. I enjoyed our stock tank pond so much. But nothing last forever. The deed is done now, and one less thing to care for.