October 21, 2024

I am a spider in the genus Pelegina

Possibly a White-cheeked Jumping Spider

Not much has been written about me

But I might be female, as my color is lighter.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/6783

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.

October 20, 2024

I am a female Coppery Leafhopper

You know I'm female by the light bands on my wings

My mate is more of a chocolate brown

To vineyards, disease we can bring.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6314332/

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.

October 19, 2024

I am a female White Micrathena

I'm black and white with glossy black legs

I'm twice as big as my lesser-seen mate

But without him, there'd be no spider eggs!

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/spiny-orbweavers-micrathena-spiders

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.

October 18, 2024

I am a Giant Leaf-footed bug

I'm harmless but watch out for my scent

I'm not venomous and I won't bite you

But terrible body odor is my defense. 

(Do NOT step on one of these - I've never done it, but have been told by people who have there that there is an extremely valid reason they are also known as "Stink Bugs!")

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/84994-Acanthocephala-declivis

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.

October 17, 2024

I am a female Eastern Carpenter bee

If I was male, my face would be yellowish-white

I have a hairless spot in the middle of my back -

We all do, so everything's fine.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/3509

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.

October 16, 2024

I am a Northern Pearly-Eye

Look close to see my orange-tipped deely-boppers

I also have lots 

Of white-rimmed eye spots

Which makes an easy ID for butterfly watchers.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://alabama.butterflyatlas.usf.edu/species/details/51/northern-pearly-eye

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.

October 15, 2024

I am a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly

I'm pretty, but don't eat me or my young

Aristolochic acid is lethal

To critters and people

And would be the last thing to touch your tongue.

(To quote the linked article, "The caterpillars of the Pipevine Swallowtail feed on the poisonous host plant, Aristolochia, also known as the pipevine [which] contains the lethal toxin aristolochic acid.")

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=17456

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.