May 25, 2026

I am a Six-lined Racerunner

It's easy to confuse me with Skinks

Bad lighting makes me look dark here

But Skinks have 5 lines and I have six. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/reptiles/view.php?checklist_number=146.0

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 24, 2026

I am a Marl Pennant Dragonfly

I live near salt marshes or a beach

I occasionally hunt in swarms with my friends

And often hunt from perches on reeds.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2022/12/B28-full-Marl-pennant-1.pdf

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 23, 2026

I am sometimes known as a Blue-eyed Roach

Which makes me sound prettier than I am

I'm fairly common in Florida

But I'm native to the Carribean.

Location: On the side (outside) of my house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/82035

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 22, 2026

I am known as a Small Hooded Cockroach

The cover of the first part of my thorax

Looks like I'm wearing a cowl-neck sweater

My lack of fashion's my only drawback.

Location: On the side (outside) of my house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/111902

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 21, 2026

I am known as a Rehn's Cockroach

I'm sure you are sitting there saying "ewww"

But take a close look at my wings and legs - 

They're translucent, you can see right through!

(I thought this was kind of silvery when I first took the photo, but eventually realized you can see through it. Very cool.)

Location: On the side (outside) of my house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/507337/bgpage

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 20, 2026

I am a Rabid Wolf Spider

I'm harmless to humans but not to other bugs

I'm known as a "sit and wait predator"

Where sit and.. AAUUUUUUUUUGGGgggggg...

(Note: This spider and I were having a nice little chat and unfortunately I distracted her and this jerk wasp came by and nailed her. I realize everyone has to eat but I still felt bad for my inadvertent involvement. The wasp carried the spider off; I lost track of them but I assume she had young somewhere and was taking the spider home to them for dinner.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2026 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.

May 19, 2026

I am a Delaware Skipper

But don't be fooled by my name

I was named for the Delaware Native American tribe

Who lived where I first came into my fame*.

* Delaware Skippers are more common in Florida than in the northeast.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-delaware-skipper/

Photo and text © 2026 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.