Ponderings: Beetles in the night

It is June, which means that the season has begun when I venture out into the night in my pajamas and I start a careful vigil that I like to call “caterpillar patrol.” This is quite necessary, and a little fun, and helps me to catch the little grubby creatures that enjoy munching on my garden plants. Everything is allowed to live, of course, so any caterpillars I discover are relocated to a less-precious area of my yard. After all, I want moths and butterflies, but I also want tomatoes, bell peppers and squash!  Recently, we installed a little pond in our garden, and I enjoy visiting that at night as well, to see what might be paying it a visit come sundown (so far, pond visitors hav