I’m sharing this picture of a lacy dock leaf for Becky’s October Squares, but what is the connection? Her topic this month is kind, or words containing kind, to remind us that the world needs more kindness.
The dock leaf has been a kindergarten for dock beetle larvae (Gastrophysa viridula). One orange egg is still waiting to hatch. Let’s hope that, when the tardy larva has eaten through the little patch fate has allotted, it manages to pass its third test – vein-walking to reach its next dinner.
Organic farmers tell us that the emerald green dock beetles help them be kind to the environment. Chemical sprays would otherwise be needed to prevent docks springing up from the many seeds a healthy plant produces.
Before I leave, I ought to tip my hat to a local claim to fame. Many people of a certain age will associate neighbouring Blackburn with 4,000 holes, having grown up hearing The Beatles song ‘A Day In The Life’. These dock leaf holes are rather small too, but I’ll give you a dispensation from counting them all. That’s very kind of me, don’t you think?
Susan Rushton 
So kind, Susan 🙂
You’d still have been at it.
I do indeed! How kind or you to make me smile. 😉
My great pleasure!
Thank you for this thought-provoking photo. It’s really beautiful, and I’m rooting for that tiny orange egg. ❤
Me too! They’re usually hidden underneath.
oh this is so clever. A natural kindergarten and a story too. Wonderful square 🙂
Thanks, B.
Thanks for the smile. And there was me, feeling sorry for the dock leaf 🙂 🙂
Well, the leaf may not be too happy. I imagine their ideal is a terrible Ofstead rating in the hope they’ll be left alone next year.
It will take me a while to recover from your post and from the comments in kind — I think you’ve started something dangerous! I also think I’ve never seen a chewed leaf look pretty before this one; to me it looks crocheted. Very nice!
Crocheted works for me. It’s very evenly munched – they don’t waste much, only the tough bits.
Thank you for the laugh — I think “evenly munched” says it exactly!
So pretty! I love to take photos of the leaves when they reach this stage, I say they are being knitted by Nature!
You’re on the same wavelength as Oddment, above, which is always a good place to be.