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Water soldiers

InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
in Problem solving

We have three smallish ponds in our rear garden.  In two of them we used to get water soldiers, so many in fact, that we used to give surplus ones away to a neighbour to feed to his kai fish.  Quite a few years ago, we noticed that they water soldiers were in decline and purchased some on-line.   These did not last long and for the past few years there have been none.  We have never had fish in the ponds and have let them develop naturally, nor have we introduced any unusual plants that could conflict with the water soldiers.

 

I’m not bothered by their absence as the ponds and plants are all fine.  I’m just puzzled by them disappearing.  Anyone any idea what could have happened.   

 






At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  

Posts

  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    The first thing that would come to mind would be has the pond got shadier over time with plant growth or lily cover. We get these wild in the broads and they tend to prefer full sun and little competing with them. They get so thick in some of the shallow dykes that you can't see any water at all but are quite few and far between in the shadier more open areas. 
    A thick layer of oxygenators can also make it difficult for them to resurface when they begin to grow in spring.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    What are water soldiers? I've not heard of them.
  • InTheMoorlandsInTheMoorlands Posts: 161
    The first thing that would come to mind would be has the pond got shadier over time with plant growth or lily cover.


    That would certainly make sense.  One of the ponds is quite shady now due to trees and shrubs.  Another was engulfed by lilies that we had taken out at the end of last year.

    Thanks, this had me puzzled.


    At about 750 feet on the western edge of The Pennines.  Clay soil.  
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    Slow-worm said:
    What are water soldiers? I've not heard of them.


    I got some a couple of months back. They’ve started flowering. I’ll see if I can take a pic on Thursday when I’m off. 
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    @TheGreenMan thanks, I like those!
    I was surprised that it's a plant though, I was imagining something like water boatmen! 😄
  • parkgatemanparkgateman Posts: 50
       Slow-worm - Or the dreaded back swimmers . Last year a wasp landed on a bit of weed for a drink but it was ambushed by a back swimmer .
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