Monday, March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

I am an Ornate Bella Moth
I'm seen more commonly than most moths
That is because I'm diurnal
If you come too close to me, I'll fly off.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/beneficial/leps/bella_moth.htm

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Sunday, March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

This is known as a Magic Mushroom
It has shown limited promise medically
Possession is illegal in the state of Florida
But it could possibly help with depression and PSTD.

(Note: As with all mushrooms, you cannot positively identify a mushroom by a photograph. You must examine the  spore and other key features. Many mushrooms look similar - some are highly poisonous. NEVER pick and eat a wild mushroom based solely on a photograph.)

Location: Found on private land growing wild. 

Sources: https://health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2022-11-03/psychedelic-magic-mushroom-drug-may-ease-some-depression

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Saturday, March 16, 2024

March 16, 2024

This is a Yellow Butterwort
The leaves and stalk produce a sticky goo
It is a carnivorous plant and eats insects
That get stuck its self-produced glue.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-pinguicula-lutea/

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Friday, March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

I am known as a Rabidosa hentzi
"Rabidosa" does not mean I spread rabies
It means that I move rapidly
Even when I am carrying hundreds of babies.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rabidosa_rabida/

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

This plant is known as Piloblephis rigida
Commonly known as Florida or False Pennyroyal
It's the only plant in the genus Piloblephis
Hedeoma pulegioides is American Pennyroyal.

(See sources section below. American Pennyroyal can be quite toxic, both to humans and pets.)

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/flower-friday-piloblephis-rigida/https://www.missouriplants.com/Hedeoma_pulegioides_page.html

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.





Wednesday, March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

This is a Giant Airplant 
It is endangered due to Mexican Bromeliad Weevils
And also because of habitat destruction
And illegal collecting by very bad people.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/frank/savebromeliads/floridas-bromeliads/Tillandsia-utriculata.html

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

This is known as a Southern Needleleaf Airplant
It is common in hammocks and swamps
It is epiphytic and can grow to be 12 inches long
With 3 to 6 inch flower stalks.

Location: UF DeLuca Preserve 2024 Bioblitz

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW205

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.