All the Dirt: Bugs Aren't Our Only Little Garden Pals

By Jim Nunweiler Saturday, March 20, 2010

Here at Busch Gardens we have discussed the use of beneficial insects in the past. We can successfully control the bad bugs by using these plant-friendly insects throughout our greenhouses. When material is moved from the greenhouse into the park, many of our good bugs will hitch a ride and continue their control in the wild. But bugs aren’t the only friend we have here in the park.

As spring arrives, so does a good friend of ours - the American Green Tree Frog. They are native to the southeast part of the United States from eastern Maryland and Virginia down to Florida and west to Texas. They inhabit areas near lakes and swampy terrain. This backyard friend can be found near porch lights looking for a meal. They enjoy a wide array of insects which include crickets, flies and moths. And they are as welcome as birds when it comes to insect control.

Adult males will grow to about two-and-a-half inches long, while females grow to about four inches. Their color is striking. Most of the time they display a lime green hue, but they can change colors to blend into their surroundings along with light or temperature. Colors on their abdomens can vary from shades of yellow to white.

They emit a chirping sound that can sound like a symphony in the evening. Don’t confuse them with Spring Peepers, which are only one-inch long but can drown out all other sounds around them.

Using legs longer than the length of their bodies, tree frogs can jump up to 10 feet.

Breeding season is between the months May and August with females laying nearly 400 eggs. They usually lay them in an area with standing water. Suitable environments range from a pond to a tin can lying in the backyard. The eggs hatch within a week. These frogs can live up to 20 years.

Here at the gardens we encounter these little green gems all the time. They help us keep the insect populace in check. We have even found them nestled in flowers awaiting their next meal. We have been startled by them when they leap out of their abode, but we don’t complain. They will always be a good friend of ours.