September 30, 2023

I am an adult non-breeding Black Tern

If I was breeding my tummy would be black.

I'm agile and can catch both fish and insects

When I'm in the mood for a snack.

Location: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Tern/overview

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 29, 2023

I am a Sonoran Tent Caterpillar Moth

In the fall, I'll lay eggs in an oak tree

The eggs will hatch and my larvae then will build a tent

Where they will live and feed on the tree happily!

The tent is made out of silk my larvae produce

Only the finest of fabric for me!

But alas, there's a good chance they won't grow up at all -

For my larvae, birds, bugs, and wasps are predatory!

Special thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Sierra Vista Southeast, AZ

Sources: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/tent-making-caterpillars-5-583/

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 28, 2023

I am a Toltec Roadside-Skipper

I don't live in Florida, I live in Arizona

I prefer desert grasslands and open woods

And I drink nectar from flowers such as Allionia.

Special thanks to today's special guest photographer, David Simpson.

Location: Sierra Vista Southeast, AZ

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Amblyscirtes-tolteca

Photo © 2023 David Simpson and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 27, 2023

I am a type of Antlion

In the Myrmeleontidae subfamily 

Although people associate our nymphs with pitfall ant traps, 

Many of us prefer to live in holes made in trees.

Location: My porch, Fellsmere

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/neuroptera/Glenurus_gratus.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 26, 2023

I am a Red House Spider

Living on Dee's porch and working hard

Today I'm protecting her from a stink bug

This dude sure could have used some Right Guard!

Location: My porch, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 25, 2023

I am an Easter Carpenter Bee

I build my nest based on the wood grain

If the grain is vertical, my nest will be vertical,

If the grain is horizontal, my nest will be the same.

Location: Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182556807

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 24, 2023

I am a Yellow Garden Spider

But my body shape is kind of strange

I might be about to lay an egg

Or maybe I'm just at an awkward stage

(Which also explains why I'm missing 1/2 a leg.)

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 23, 2023

I am a Belvosia borealis

I'm mostly black with yellow stripes on my butt

I look like a bee, and have little yellow feet

Something's wrong with my left eye, but I don't know what.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/266487

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 22, 2023

I am an Epicauta batesii

A Blister Beetle in the Meloidae family

When I was a larvae I preyed on bees and grasshoppers

As an adult I defoliate crops, including beets.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/medical/blister_beetles.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 21, 2023

This is the track of an American Black Bear

With an adult human hand shown to compare the size

Bears can be dangerous so don't get close to them and

Only hike with people who run slower than you, if you're wise.

Location: Rock Springs Run State Preserve

Sources: https://floridawildlifefederation.org/florida-black-bear/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 20, 2023

I am known as a Chicken Turtle

Some guess because my neck is long and thin

But more likely it's because settlers said that I:

"...taste better than the cooters – more like chicken."

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2023/08/18/meet-the-chicken-turtle

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 19, 2023

I am a Northern Curly-tailed Lizard

Sometimes, pity is all that I feel

For scientists who have to study my kind

Don't click the link below while you're eating a meal.

Location: Riverside Park, Vero Beach

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/florida-lizard-record-breaking-constipation/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 18, 2023

I am a White-tipped Black moth

When I was young I was called Snowbush Spanworm

I was a type of inch worm that's a voracious eater

And Snowbush is where I most loved to squirm.

Location: Punta Gorda

Sources: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2018/03/Snowbush-Caterpillar.pdf

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 17, 2023

I an an Eastern Giant Swallowtail butterfly

At my previous instar I looked like a snake

When I was still younger, I looked like bird poop

These are disguises I used to keep predators away.

Location: Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda

Sources:  https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/citrus/giantswallowtail.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 16, 2023

I am known as a Gulf Fritillary butterfly

I migrate to Florida in the fall

I like to winter in frost-free places

So you won't find me in Montreal.

Location: Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 15, 2023

I am known as a Zebra Swallowtail

I'm the only kite swallowtail in the US

I have a short proboscis so I can't drink from long flowers, 

But I can get nutrition from mud with some success.

Location: Peace River Botanical Gardens, Punta Gorda

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 14, 2023

I am an Anicia Checkerspot butterfly

Well, to be imprecise, I'm one of 24 subspecies

To tell for sure, I'd have to go under a microscope

I think it'd be easier join 23andMe.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, Joy Handley

Location: Pole Mountain, Wyoming

Sources: https://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/NorthAmerica-Euphydryasanicia.html

Photo © 2023 Joy Handley and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 13, 2023

I am a Weidemeyer's Admiral

I can be found in the mountains out west

I'm closely related to the northeastern White Admiral

But they have some red and blue and are fancier dressed.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, Joy Handley

Location: Pole Mountain, Wyoming

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/24571

Photo © 2023 Joy Handley and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 12, 2023

I am a female Horace's Duskywing

If I was male, I'd be darker without white spots

When I was a caterpillar I lived in oak trees

Now I live in swamps, gardens and forested lots.

Location: Riverside Park, Melbourne

Sources: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wildflowers/butterfly/horaces-duskywing/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 11, 2023

I am known as a Ruddy Daggerwing

Named for the dagger-like tails on my wings

Wings open, I'm orange with dark vertical stripes -

Closed, I look like a leaf when winter begins.

Special thanks to today's special guest photographer, Heather Elko.

Location: Elbow Creek, Melbourne

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Marpesia-petreus

Photo © 2023 Heather Elko and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 10, 2023

I am a Brown Recluse Spider

Unlike many spiders, I’ve only six eyes.

I don’t build a web to catch other bugs

I wait till prey comes near me and catch it by surprise. 

To many humans, my reputation is that of a beast 

But I’d like to say that just isn’t so.

I’ll only bite a human if they hurt me first

I prefer to be alone like Garbo.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase!

Location: Photos taken with Lou Coticchio  at USF St. Petersburg Cassill Lab 106, Dept of Biological Studies.

Sources: Real Life Spider Man Debunks Myths About Arachnids

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 9, 2023

I am known as a Brown Widow Spider

I have an hourglass that is more orange than red.

Although my bite can be painful to people

I avoid humans as much as I can.

Instead I prefer to keep to myself

And hunt insects to keep myself fed.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase!

Location: Photos taken with Lou Coticchio  at USF St. Petersburg Cassill Lab 106, Dept of Biological Studies.

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/URBAN/SPIDERS/brown_widow_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 8, 2023

We are all Southern Black Widow spiderlings

We have instars just like butterflies.

But we only molt til we look like our parents

We don’t completely metamorphosize.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase!

Location: Photos taken with Lou Coticchio  at USF St. Petersburg Cassill Lab 106, Dept of Biological Studies.

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/URBAN/SPIDERS/black_widow_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 7, 2023

I’m a Southern Black Widow spider

I’m shiny black with a red dot on my butt.

I have a matching red hourglass on my abdomen

I’m pretty, but look and don’t touch!

In general I’m shy and just want to avoid

Being stepped on or crushed or hit.

I’ve got a bite that probably won’t kill you

But it will probably hurt quite a bit! 

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase!

Location: Photos taken with Lou Coticchio  at USF St. Petersburg Cassill Lab 106, Dept of Biological Studies.

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/Creatures/URBAN/SPIDERS/black_widow_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 6, 2023

I am a Northern Black Widow

The Southern looks similar to me

But I don't always have an hourglass on my tummy

And the Southern has a red spot on her heiny.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase!

Location: Photo taken with Lou Coticchio  at USF St. Petersburg Cassill Lab 106, Dept of Biological Studies.

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/spiders/black_widow_spider.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 5, 2023

I am a Slosson's Mason Wasp

I have a tiny waist and a large dark red butt

I look like a Potter's wasp but -

I nest with vegetable matter, they use mud.

Location: Titusville Field Station, Titusville

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/wasps/zethus_wasps.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 4, 2023

I am a Milkweed Assassin Bug

I eat everything from caterpillars to flies

I catch prey with my sticky forelegs.

Insert my stylets, and my prey is paralyzed.

Like spiders I use extra-oral digestion

And then drink my preys insides.

Location: Titusville Field Station, Titusville

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/bugs/zelus_longipes.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 3, 2023

I am a Leucauge argyra

But my color is not quite right

I normally appear much darker

But I just molted, so my color is light.

For more spidery goodness, check out the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders which is now available for purchase !

Location: Titusville Field Station, Titusville

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/2260186

https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2023/08/august-27-2023.html

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 2, 2023

I am a Brown Widow spider

The back of this mailbox is where I live

I'm generally shy, 

But if I'm surprised

I will bite, it will hurt, but you'll [most likely*] live.

*As I describe in the second edition of my Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (which is now available for purchase) the venom of the Brown Widow can be harmful to humans, but in general, the Brown Widow is not aggressive and will only bite if provoked. If you are bitten by a spider  (or any insect) and the bite appears to be getting worse, painful or infected, seek medical attention.

Location: Private residence, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/news/2023/who-is-hunting-the-black-widow-spider.aspx

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 1, 2023

I am a Red House Spider

Innocently spinning my web

I'm building the web to catch flies and bugs

And my silk just flows and ebbs.

Location: My bathroom, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/297992-Nesticodes-rufipes

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson