October 31, 2024

I am a female Arrowhead Orbweaver

Personally, I'm mostly red with a yellow shield

But my shield, legs and carapace color can vary

My mate is small, boring, and rarely revealed.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/arrowhead-spider-triangle-orbweaver

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.

October 30, 2024

I am known as a Canada Goose

I do not have an endangered status

But less grain waste

And climate change

Have altered my migration habits.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

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

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.

October 29, 2024

I am a Great Spangled Fritillary

When I was a caterpillar I used to eat violets

As an adult I like moist fields and pastures

And I'm orange with brown and white eyelets.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Speyeria-cybele

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.

October 28, 2024

I am a juvenile Eastern Bluebird

Based on the season I eat insects or berries

Someday I'll find a cavity or nest box

When I want to have kids and get married.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

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

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.

October 27, 2024

I am an Eastern Wood Pewee

Take a look, you can see rictal bristles

It's believed that these help me sense orientation and speed

And make me look sharp as a pistol.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://ornithology.com/rictal-bristles/

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.

October 26, 2024

I am in the Order Opiliones

Possibly a Warty Harvestman

You might confuse me with a spider

We both have eight legs, so I understand. 

Note: Although both spiders and harvestmen (aka "Daddy Longlegs") both have 8 legs, spiders have 2 body segments and 8 eyes, but harvestmen only have 1 body segment and 2 eyes. 

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/musings-on-nature-blog/posts/grandaddy-longlegs-harvestmen.aspx

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.

October 25, 2024

I am a Snowy Geometer Moth

I'm common in woodlands and forests

My wings look delicate and lacy

Kind of like a Stevie Nicks dress.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/205195-Eugonobapta-nivosaria

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.

October 24, 2024

I am a Red-lipped Green Lacewing

If you look close you'll see my red lips

I'm also defined

By black cross lines

On my wings that have pointed tips.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/245329

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.

October 23, 2024

I am an Eastern Wood-Pewee

My call sounds much like my name

I'm have longer wings

And superficial things

Make me different than flycatchers who look the same. 

Location: Clay County, NC

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Eastern_Wood-Pewee/overview

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.

October 22, 2024

I am known as a Spotted Orbweaver

I'm common in moist woodlands

I'm mostly active at night

That's when I take a bite

Of mosquitos and other pesky scamps.

Location: Private residence, Warne, NC

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/spiders/neoscona.htm

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

October 14, 2024

I am a Green Lynx spider

When Dee saw me, she got all excited

She thought she saw me

Carrying a baby

Her spider reputation is clearly misguided!

(Note from Dee: I realized after looking at other photos of Green Lynx that what I thought were her  baby's head and legs were her own chelicera and pedipalps! Enlarge the photo and you will see what I mean.)

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

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

https://biologyandbiodiversityinspiders.weebly.com/spider-anatomy.html

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.

October 13, 2024

I am the larvae of a Dogwood Sawfly

I have no natural enemies

I'm harmless to you

But what I do to 

Dogwood trees should be a felony!

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/publications-resources/insect-mite-guide/macremphytus-tarsatus

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.

October 12, 2024

This plant is in the Subgenus Clematis

It might be Virgin's Bower, but I'm not quite sure

The leaves to not look quite pointy enough

At a different life stage, there's more to observe.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1398783-Clematis

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.

October 11, 2024

This plant is Phlox paniculata

Commonly known as Fall Phlox

Spider mites and Phlox bugs can kill this plant

But hummingbirds think that it rocks!

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/phlox-paniculata/

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.

October 10, 2024

This is Biennial Beeblossom

Its flowers start white, but age to pink

It hybridizes with other species so

Although recognizable, it's not always distinct.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=OEGA

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.

October 9, 2024

This plant is in the Genus Verbesina

But it is not a Verbina relation

But they have very similar foliage

Which explains the naming situation.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/72422-Verbesina

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.

October 8, 2024

This plant is known as Jewelweed

It flowers are orange and gold

It's stem juice can be used as fungicide

But its berries are toxic for those predisposed.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=IMCA

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.

October 7, 2024

I am a Vetch Looper Moth

You can see my big green eyes

Vetch is a legume 

That is my host food

So my name's really not a surprise. 

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Caenurgia-chloropha

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.

October 6, 2024

I am known as a Clouded Skipper moth

I'm dark brown with a violet sheen to my underwing 

I like to perch on vegetation looking for girls

Close to the ground in forest edges and clearings.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Lerema-accius

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.

October 5, 2024

I am a Banded Tussock moth caterpillar

You might think I appear fluffy and soft

But looks can deceive

If you touch you'll recieve

An itchy and briefly painful shock!

As explained in the linked article, the spines of this caterpillar are not venomous, but they are quite irritating to human skin, somewhat like fiberglass. 

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/banded-tussock-moth

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.

October 4, 2024

I am a Mangora spiculata

You can find me in woodlands and grass

My cephalothorax is green with a dark central stripe

I appear somewhat translucent, like glass. 

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/arachnid/view.php?sort_order_num=85.00

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.

October 3, 2024

I am a Black-tailed Red Sheetweaver

I'm tiny and hard to see

But where I live is quite obvious -

In mornings you'll notice my dew-covered sheet.

Today's post is for my mom in law. She mentioned that she sees these webs every morning and wondered what was in them. It just so happened that I went out walking immediately after she said that and I found one its web!

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://bugeric.blogspot.com/2022/05/spider-sunday-scarlet-sheetweb-weaver.html

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.

October 2, 2024

This plant is known as Tall Ironweed

It can grow to be 10 feet tall

It is host to the Ironweed Borer moth

Its purple flowers bloom in early fall.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/vernonia-gigantea/

https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papaipema-cerussata

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.

October 1, 2024

I am known as a Silvery Checkerspot butterfly

I can have 1-4 broods, based on where I live

I'm in the south, so I'll have three

I'll lay 100 eggs under leaves

Then fly away while the new life begins.

Location: Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Chlosyne-nycteis

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.