Up at the Big House

Like everything this year in this area, a little later than last year, the Leaf Cutter Bees are back.

I am fairly sure I have my facts right here. Some individuals have been hanging around for several days. They look in the holes but mainly fly from one site to another and sit in the sun.

These are the males, short bodied with a hairy head. They are the first to hatch and are waiting near the nest sites for females.

The females arrived today longer bodied and bent on cell building. This year I got a good photograph of one carrying a large piece of leaf.

It is a case of, get into the nest hole as quickly as possible or you get set on by a male. On one occasion a female took a brief rest and during a mid air 'birds and bees' session lost her leaf section that she had worked so hard to cut and transport.

The other day we were out with friends. The girls wanted to do shop visit the guys didn't, solution we boys came back to our place in one car to put the kettle on and the girls would follow.

We had just sat down to coffee when there was a tapping at the window, "those girls were quick".
There was no one there. A rapid tapping again and we spotted him, a baby crow sitting on the window sill, maybe pecking at his reflection. I went out to take a photo he showed no fear, several times the parents swooped low 'shouting' at him. Finally they both escorted him off, he could fly well he did a 75m flight off to some trees.

Please read my previous post the information has recently been the subject of a Regulatory Update by The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) is an Agency of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

I have photographed top growth against a white background for comparison with the RHS photograph. My growth increased inter nodally at an early stage producing thin whispy growth.

For safety all these plants will have to be destroyed after I have completed my tests. This picture shows increasing distortion, typical of Hormone Weed Killer damage.

A group of plants pictured previously showing increasing damage to all growth.

A plant potted into J Arthur Bowers Peat based Compost. The top growth still shows signs of damage. However note the healthier 2nd and third leaf.

A plant potted into CompostX suspected of Aminopyralid contamination. Note the weak distorted growth from leaf 2 onwards.

So I am not alone with my Tomato destruction.

According to the RHS, manure contaminated with Aminopyralid a hormone weed killer active in the following products - Banish, Forefront, Halcyon, Pharaoh, Pro-Banish, or Runway has been causing widespread problems this year.

This picture from the RHS shows typical symptoms.

Once again the Big Chemical companies have come together with Irresponsible Farmers to create a problem that should never exist.

The Farmers treat the Grazing Pasture with the product, Animals are allowed back to graze within 7 days. The Poison binds to the Lignin in Grass, some passes through the animal and into the manure. From there it it is re released as the Lignin breaks down, it can remain active for up to 2 years.
How much passes into the milk and meat products? Do they care?

Apparently there is no evidence that crops from contaminated plants are safe to eat.

It should be noted that labels and technical literature of aminopralid-based products do carry warnings and advice on manure management and avoiding risk to sensitive crops.
By the time the Farmer gets to the manure management stage he obviously disregards all the literature.

Why should pasture be totally herb free and a chemical war zone. Do not animals benefit from a balanced diet and beneficial herbs?

There is talk from some, no doubt considered as cranks by the Chemical Money Men of re-introducing weeds into Pasture Land. It is thought that resistance to TB which is on the increase among livestock would be improved.
It is noted that Tuberculosis in Humans increases with poor diet, it seems sensible to me.