January 25, 2026

I am a White Peacock butterfly

On my hind wings, I have a short tail

When I was younger, I was colored much brighter

Now I'm older and getting more pale.

Location: TM Goodwin WMA, Broadmore Unit

Sources: https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-white-peacock/

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.

September 24, 2025

I am a young White Peacock butterfly

You can tell I'm young by my color

Right now my colors are deep and bright

As I age my color gets duller.

Location: Cocoa, James G. Bourbeau Memorial Park

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Anartia-jatrophae

Photo and text © 2025 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.

December 10, 2024

I am known as a White Peacock butterfly

But I just might have fooled you

My relatives in Florida are usually white

But in Texas, I've got a baby-blue hue. 

Location: Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, TX

Sources: https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/2020/09/september-11-2020.html

https://www.flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-white-peacock/

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, 2023

I am a White Peacock butterfly

I have ocelli, also known as simple eyes

I also have tympanic organs I use 

To detect predators, prey and potential rival guys.

Location: Jones Pier Conservation Area, Jungle Trail

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

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 22, 2022

I am known as a White Peacock butterfly

I pollinate and eat Wild Petunia

I also eat Sheppard's Needle and Hyssop

But not lobster - I don't have the pecunia.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

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

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 4, 2021

I am known as a White Peacock

I stay low to the ground cause that's where my food is

Sometimes I pollinate Biden's Alba (shown here)

Depending on what my mood is. 

Location: Fellsmere Grade Road, Fellsmere

Sources: https://flawildflowers.org/know-your-native-pollinators-white-peacock/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

December 3, 2020

I am known as a White Peacock 

I'm in the family of brush-footed butterflies

Our front legs are smaller,

Can't be used for walking

But with the other 4 we get around fine. 

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy/Nymphalidae

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 11, 2020

I am known as a White Peacock butterfly,
I like to fly low to the ground.
My typical lifespan's only 1 to 4 months
So enjoy me while I am around.

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

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

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 1, 2020

Location: Taylor Creek/Nubbins Slough Conservation Area, Okeechobee

I am a White Peacock butterfly

Landing on some Frog Fruit
This was my host plant when I was caterpillar

But now I'm covered by scales and am far less hirsute.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America: White Peacock

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 4, 2019

Location: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

I am a White Peacock butterfly
I like sunny, open areas
Including orchards, and gardens and farmlands
Like many other agrarians.

Sources: Learn About Butterflies - White Peacock

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 9, 2018

Location: Leesburg, Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area

I am a Anartia jatrophae
Better known as a White Peacock
I'm white and have eyespots like the bird,
So my name's not really a shock.

Sources: Floridata - White Peacock

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 4, 2018

Location: Vero Beach, Lagoon Greenway

I am a White Peacock butterfly
With wings closed, my pattern's less identifiable.
In breeding time I'll fight other bugs
In my territory - hey, that's justifiable!

Sources: Animal Diversity Web - Anartia jatrophae

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 3, 2018

Location: Vero Beach, Lagoon Greenway

I am a White Peacock butterfly
My forewing has one black spot, my hindwing has two.
When I'm a caterpillar I like to eat Water hyssop.
Shepard's Needle is my favorite adult food.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - White Peacock

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 22, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

I'm a White Peacock Butterfly.
You can tell I'm young cause my colors are vibrant.
You can find me between Argentina and Florida,
Or central Texas, where I'm an occasional migrant.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - White Peacock

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 21, 2017

Location: Taylor Creek

I am the same White Peacock from yesterday,
But from a much different view point.
You can see that I've got eyes and a pouty mouth,
And legs with little, bitty,  knee joints. 

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

August 20, 2017

Location: Taylor Creek

I am an Anartia jatrophae,
Better known as White Peacock Butterfly.
You can tell that I'm old as butterflies go,
Because the colors on my wings are not bright.

Sources: Butterflies and Moths of North America - White Peacock Anartia jatrophae

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson