Wednesday, September 27, 2023

September 27, 2023

I am a type of Antlion
In the Myrmeleontidae subfamily 
Although people associate our nymphs with pitfall ant traps, 
Many of us prefer to live in holes made in trees.

Location: My porch, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/neuroptera/Glenurus_gratus.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson



Tuesday, September 26, 2023

September 26, 2023

I am a Red House Spider
Living on Dee's porch and working hard
Today I'm protecting her from a stink bug
This dude sure could have used some Right Guard!

Location: My porch, Fellsmere

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nesticodes

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Monday, September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023

I am an Easter Carpenter Bee
I build my nest based on the wood grain
If the grain is vertical, my nest will be vertical,
If the grain is horizontal, my nest will be the same.

Location: Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182556807

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Sunday, September 24, 2023

September 24, 2023

I am a Yellow Garden Spider
But my body shape is kind of strange
I might be about to lay an egg
Or maybe I'm just at an awkward stage
(Which also explains why I'm missing 1/2 a leg.)

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson



Saturday, September 23, 2023

September 23, 2023

I am a Belvosia borealis
I'm mostly black with yellow stripes on my butt
I look like a bee, and have little yellow feet
Something's wrong with my left eye, but I don't know what.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/266487

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Friday, September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

I am an Epicauta batesii
A Blister Beetle in the Meloidae family
When I was a larvae I preyed on bees and grasshoppers
As an adult I defoliate crops, including beets.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/blister_beetles.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Thursday, September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

This is the track of an American Black Bear
With an adult human hand shown to compare the size
Bears can be dangerous so don't get close to them and
Only hike with people who run slower than you, if you're wise.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://floridawildlifefederation.org/florida-black-bear/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson