May 2, 2026

I am known as Trogoderma anthrenoides
Adult females do not require food
My reproduction depends on the weather - 
If its 27.5 C, I'll lay the largest brood.

Location: Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL

Sources: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bulletin-of-entomological-research/article/abs/effect-of-temperature-and-humidity-on-trogoderma-anthrenoides-sharpcoleoptera-dermestidae-and-comparisons-with-related-species/8266492B89AF2240E95768AB10BBB2DF

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 1, 2026

This plant is Prickly Sowthistle

Its pointy leaves are blueish green

The flowers are yellow

And they resemble

Dandelions that you have seen.

Location: Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve, Apollo Beach, FL

Sources: https://southwestdesertflora.com/WebsiteFolders/All_Species/Asteraceae/Sonchus%20asper,%20Spiny%20Sowthistle.html

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.

April 30, 2026

These are the seeds of the Rosary Pea

They contain the deadly poison Abrin

Although they are often made into beads

Beauty's not worth the danger within. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/abrus-precatorius

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.

April 29, 2026

This is Lantana camara

It's bark can be used to treat leprosy

But it's considered an invasive exotic

So saying it can do good might be called heresy.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://botany.biology.ufl.edu/news/2013/lantana-camara-lantana/

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.

April 28, 2026

This plant is called Scarlet Sesbane

It's a non-native and invasive

It has seeds that remain viable in the ground for years

Yet it's beauty is quite persuasive.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://plant-directory.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/sesbania-punicea/

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.

April 27, 2026

I am a Marbled Grasshopper

My tibias are orange or red but I'm mostly grey

My hindwings show a dark band in flight

I can be found from Florida to the great plains.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/9571

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.

April 26, 2026

I'm a male Common Hentz Jumping Spider

And much to Dee's surprise

If you click to enlarge this photo

You will see all 8 of my eyes!

(This is a teeny tiny spider [only 4-5 mm, or about .157 inches] - I was surprised my camera picked up all of his eyes.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/6792

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.