Desert Flying Insects

Since I've been in the desert I'm astonished by how diverse the flying insect populations are. It seems like every season every year brings a new array of species I hadn't encountered before. Some of course I recognize and am beginning to also correlate the time of the season with their arrival.

From ladybugs to dragon flies, to all kinds of moth-like insects, to various sizes of typically recognizable common flies, to flying beetle-like insects, to completely otherworldly beings. Some of the more exotic encounters have been with insects that have bright colors, shiny surfaces, and even fairy-like qualities. It's hard to feel lonely when surrounded by so many flying friends. Rarely I'm a bothered by any of them, not even the bees. Even though they harangue me relentlessly in the morning, it's always a good excuse to get a nice dance warm up in as I evade their pursuit. Luckily no wasps so far so I'm not that worried. I think I may have gotten a mild sting once, but it just seems they're intent on my chemical signature, and they zero in on any water vapor of any kind. I try to keep them well supplied to with their own water access though pipes into the secured pond area. I was also very happy to discover that they actually can, after I saw them fail so many times, fit through the 1/4 inch hardware cloth mesh and thereby freely work themselves into and out of the secured pond area at will. So my extra effort to ensure they had piped access is no longer essential. Either way, despite their free access, they still like to keep me dancing like a fool everyday they can.

At times in the past I'd see literal solid carpets of bees diligently drinking from the delicate moisture drops wicking up through the chinampa water garden islands where the coco coir fibers were like straws for them. I'd often have to share the space with them as I'd go to harvest from the chinampa, I'd be very careful not to disturb or agitate them, as they out numbered me about 1000 to 1, they never minded my presence. I'd like to think they were somehow aware that I was the source of the rare oasis watering hole they'd happened upon, but I don't delude myself too much. Rather, I think they were just so absorbed in the abundance of plentiful water, they had no care of my presence.

Remembering how peaceful and harmonious we were together keeps me from being too scared of them. Though I am quite humbled because you can never know when something might set them off. Someday I'll be a real bee-keeper and have all the gear and knowledge I need to take it to the next level.

I have great respect for all flying insects, and I'm feeling fortunate not to be plagued by any of them thus far. I know other people in many parts of the world aren't so lucky. From mosquitoes, to locusts, to wasps, and many more, my heart goes out to all those who have to find a way to live in balance with the more noxious varieties. For now, I'm feeling grateful to be a relative peace.













It's interesting the bias we have against certain flying insects, and the affinity we have for others. It's understandable the more ornate flying insects that don't tend to bother us are favored over those which won't leave us alone. In recent years I've learned to accept the presence of various less desirable flies. I do my best to minimize the vectors of pathogens that they may propagate in, but I can't prevent them from living in their natural niche and just being curious about me, or even wanting to drink my sweat. As long as they don't bite, I don't bother to fight them. There are many that are quite fairy-like and have a very friendly vibe.

Bees are of course some of my favorite flying insects because of all the direct benefits they provide. It's been very nourishing to my soul to know that my ponds have been so helpful to local bees. Many times I'll go to harvest plants from island water gardens and they'll be a carpet of bees drinking water while standing on duckweed or azolla plants like they're little boats or rafts. It's the most charming thing.

It was also charming to see a whole group of bees enjoying the many pumpkin flowers growing throughout the garden. It is always an exquisite feeling of connectedness to know that bees thrive thanks to your efforts.