Monday, October 21, 2024

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.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

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.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

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.

Friday, October 18, 2024

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.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

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.



Wednesday, October 16, 2024

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.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

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.