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

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

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

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

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

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

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