Loving Fly Killer. Amanita muscaria, Fly Amanita, Tussen de Venen, Muntendam, Groningen, The Netherlands
As you know, I have a penchant for insects of just about any kind - except perhaps for Killer Mosquitoes. But not when they invade my house. A few days ago my garden was being redone and the French Doors were open an entire day. Yes! so flies and mosquitoes aplenty sought the warmth away from the 2 C. outside. I was loath to kill them, and except for some zooming and buzzing they were no real nuisance. What's a bite or two anyway between you and me?!
Still, I was reminded of a little hike I took some weeks ago in that wonderful nature reserve to the east of Groningen at Muntendam, Tussen de Venen (= Among the Fens). In the nutrient-poor soils there near a heath patch not far from a small stand of birches I saw this nice Fly Amanita, quite alone on a bed of moss. Amanita muscaria was once apparently used as an insect, especially a fly repellent. Crushed in milk, it was thought to ward off those Buzzers. It is said Fly Amanita is also a powerful analgesic. I almost regretted not having picked my Muntendam Beauty for use after a visit to the dentist this morning. But things seem to be less painful than I feared!
Loving Fly Killer. Amanita muscaria, Fly Amanita, Tussen de Venen, Muntendam, Groningen, The Netherlands
As you know, I have a penchant for insects of just about any kind - except perhaps for Killer Mosquitoes. But not when they invade my house. A few days ago my garden was being redone and the French Doors were open an entire day. Yes! so flies and mosquitoes aplenty sought the warmth away from the 2 C. outside. I was loath to kill them, and except for some zooming and buzzing they were no real nuisance. What's a bite or two anyway between you and me?!
Still, I was reminded of a little hike I took some weeks ago in that wonderful nature reserve to the east of Groningen at Muntendam, Tussen de Venen (= Among the Fens). In the nutrient-poor soils there near a heath patch not far from a small stand of birches I saw this nice Fly Amanita, quite alone on a bed of moss. Amanita muscaria was once apparently used as an insect, especially a fly repellent. Crushed in milk, it was thought to ward off those Buzzers. It is said Fly Amanita is also a powerful analgesic. I almost regretted not having picked my Muntendam Beauty for use after a visit to the dentist this morning. But things seem to be less painful than I feared!