June 30, 2023

I am a Great Southern White butterfly

Ascia is my family name

My family is monotypic which means

No other species family name is the same.

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascia

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 29, 2023

I am a Efferia femorata - 

A type of Robberfly

I have a voracious appetite

And I'm a pollinator-eating type of guy

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Visitor's Center

Sources: https://www.geller-grimm.de/general.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 28, 2023

I'm known as a Grapevine Beetle

You can find me wherever grapes grow

I eat and and live in decaying tree stumps,

Down in the roots, how low I can go!

Location: My house, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 27, 2023

I am a mom Wild Turkey

Looking for snacks with my baby
Like many bird mums, 

I'll feed him protein-packed bugs 

To make him grow strong just like me.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/lifehistory

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 26, 2023

I am an adult male Regal Jumping Spider

My body parts grow at different rates

Like humans, I have allometric growth

Thus I have disproportionately long front legs.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/regal_jumping_spider.htm

https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-allometric-and-isometric-growth/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 25, 2023

I am a White Checkered-Skipper

You can find me in the southern U.S.

When I was a caterpillar I ate plants in the Mallow Family

Now I like nectar the best!

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Pyrgus-albescens

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 24, 2023

I am an Ichneumonid Wasp

You might mistake me for a Crane Fly

But that would be a mistake, 

For your progeny's sake -

Butterflies, watch where you leave your larvae!

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2012/05/wasp-wednesday-netelia.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 23, 2023

I am a Bifurcate Trashline Orbweaver

My eggs sacs hang in my web above me

Below me in line, is where I keep my trash

Such as new and old prey, and debris.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail Captain Forster's Hammock, Jungle Trail

Sources: http://bugeric.blogspot.com/2012/06/spider-sunday-trashline-orb-weavers.html

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 22, 2023

I am known as a Killdeer

Contrary to my name, I go for much smaller prey

Such as grasshoppers, beetles and other insects - 

My name comes from what I frequently say.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Killdeer/sounds

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 21, 2023

We are all Western Honey Bees

It might look like we have yellow hind legs

That is where we store pollen for transport

It's easier than carrying kegs.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 20, 2023

We are two Spotless Lady Beetles

Having some romantic fun

We might raise a family or we might have a snack - 

Sometimes we cannibalize our young!

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN327

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 19, 2023

I am a type of Banded-winged Fly

Probably in the Chaetopsis Genus

I am a fly with banded wings afterall - 

At the risk of sounding facetious. 

Location: Oyster Bar Marsh Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/87007

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 18, 2023

I am a Gulf Fritillary butterfly

In Florida, I can be found in all counties

I migrate in springtime but don't go far enough

To visit Canadian Mounties.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/gulf_fritillary.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 17, 2023

I'm a Pantropical Jumping Spider

In Florida, I am not native

I eat flying ants, moths, and other arthropods

And even spiders when I'm feeling creative.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park,  under I-95 bridge

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/jumping_spiders.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 16, 2023

I am a Gaudy Sphinx Moth

I'm just green when my wings are closed

But when they are open

A beauty, unspoken

That lies underneath is exposed.

Very special thanks to guest photographer, Dave Goodwin!

Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg

Sources: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification=Gaudy-Sphinx-Moth

Photo © 2023 Dave Goodwin and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 15, 2023

I am a Caribbean Scoliid Wasp

I was introduced to control sugarcane pests

I lay my eggs in Scarab Beetle larvae

To the larvae - they define "unwanted guests."

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

Sources: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.101.0334

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 14, 2023

We are baby American Robins

Clamoring for some food

Sometimes our mom brings us earthworms

But pollinators also make good baby bird food.

Very special thanks to today's guest photographer, MaryAnn Stone.

Location: Private residence, Indianapolis IN

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Robin/lifehistory

Photo © 2023 MaryAnn Stone and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 13, 2023

I am an Asian Lady Beetle

I was intentionally released as aphid control

I do this with great gusto - perhaps a tad too much

But I also pollinate while on aphid patrol!

Location: My bestie's hair, Vero

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/multicolored_asian_lady_beetle.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 12, 2023

I am a female Poey's Furrow Bee

I don't carry pollen neatly like the honey bee

I have long dense hairs on my hind legs

That the pollen sticks to, no Lady Shick for me!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Visitor's Center

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN897

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 11, 2023

I am a Scarlet Skimmer

I am native to Japan and China

I sometimes go after butterflies or bees

In China you can find my larvae in a diner

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Vero Beach

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/18756

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 10, 2023

This was an American Horsefly

It was a pollinator - so at least that part's good

But was also huge and had a very nasty bite

Lucky for me, it moved into a spider's neighborhood!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Cracker Camp

Sources: https://uwm.edu/field-station/horsefly/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 9, 2023

I am a male Black Horse Fly

You know I'm male because I have holopticholoptic eyes

I drink nectar and thus, I pollinate plants

And don't sting humans, unlike my wife!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Cracker Camp

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 8, 2023

In life, this was a Tooth-necked Longhorn Beetle

Unlike butterflies and bees they appear staid and stoic

But beetles also pollinate too -

And have done so since the Mesozoic.

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park, Cracker Camp

Sources: https://xerces.org/blog/notes-from-other-orders-beetles-as-pollinators

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mesozoic/mesozoic.html

https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/embryophytes/angiosperms/angiosperm_pollination/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 7, 2023

This plant is Passiflora incarnata

Its beauty is somewhat ethereal

It blooms spring to fall,

Bringing joy to all 

Of the butterflies who use it as host material.

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/passiflora-incarnata

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 6, 2023

This plant is Jamaican Caper

It is native and propagated from seeds

It attracts pollinators such as Florida White butterflies

And striped-butted Western Honey bees.

Location: Private residence, Vero

Sources: https://www.fnps.org/plant/quadrella-jamaicensis

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 5, 2023

I am a Green Lynx Spider

I am beneficial to many farmers

I eat crop pests, but it's a double edge sword - 

I also am a pollinator harmer!

Location: St. Sebastian Preserve State Park Visitor's Center

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/green_lynx_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 4, 2023

I am a female Needham's Skimmer dragonfly

I pollinate a little, but not on purpose

I generally feed on aquatic invertebrates

But other pollinators are not impervious.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

Sources: https://guides.nynhp.org/needhams-skimmer/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 3, 2023

I am known as a Dilemma Orchid Bee

I'm metallic green and have large rear tibias

There's a hole in each tibia where I store fragrant compounds

To impress girl bees when "smells good" is boyfriend criteria.

Location: My yard, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEES/green_orchid_bee.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 2, 2023

I am a female Zebra Longwing butterfly

I'm laying eggs, so you know I'm not a boy

My eggs become caterpillars, then metamorphose

And soon - more  Zebra Longwings for you to enjoy!

Location: Private residence, Vero Beach

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/bfly/zebra_longwing.htm

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 1, 2023 Welcome to Pollinator Month!

These are Eastern Giant and Anise Swallowtails -

Photos taken at the same time but worlds apart

Eastern Giant in Florida, Anise in Wyoming

Pollinator Month's off to a great start!

Today we begin Pollinator month! To learn more about why we need to celebrate pollinators, visit pollinator.org.  For my readers in Central Florida, you can sign up for 3 online webinars and an in-person outdoor event presented by Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves - details at link below.

And, of course, continue reading  and sharing my blog to help spread the pollinator word!

Special thanks to guest photographer, Joy Handley.

Location: Eastern Giant Swallowtail on Red Salvia at my house, in Fellsmere,  Anise Swallowtail on Indian paintbrush in Wyoming where guest photographer Joy lives.

Sources: http://www.pollinator.org/pollinators

https://www.fosifl.org/2023/05/15/celebrate-pollinator-month-with-the-indian-river-lagoon-aquatic-preserves/.

Photos © 2023 Joy Handley, Dee Fairbanks Simpson and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson