August 20, 2023

I am a nymph of a Helmeted Squash Bug

As an adult I'm sometimes known to play dead

Adults can also damage oranges and potted plants

And  they are brownish, not orange-red.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/flowers/euthochtha_galeator.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 8, 2021

I am a bug in the Order Heteroptera

I am leaf-footed and I am a "true bug"

I have a hypodermic needle-like mouth

To suck fluids from critters - not to do drugs.

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/true-bugs

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/203134-Merocoris

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson