September 30, 2020

I am a Great Golden Digger Wasp

Notice my orange side spots

I'm the only Digger Wasp that is harassed by birds

Who try to steal bugs that I've caught. 

(Special thanks to my dad-in-law who found this and called me over to take a picture of it.)

Location: Hiawassee, GA

Sources: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Great-Golden-Digger-Wasp

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 29, 2020

I am known as Katydid Wasp

Like the Spider Wasp, I'm named for my prey. 

I sting Katydids, leaving them paralyzed but alive

Leaving victims that can't get away

Which my larvae consume very slowly -

It can take about 10 long days.

Location: Hiawassee, GA

Sources: http://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2020/8/17/katydids-crickets-and-grasshoppers-beware-great-black-wasps-and-katydid-wasps-are-in-the-air-sphex-spp

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 28, 2020

This is a Red Morning Glory

Its flower is about the size of a penny

It's a food source for both song and hummingbirds

And is also pollinator-friendly.

Location: Hiawasee, GA

Sources: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ipomoea-coccinea/

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 27, 2020

I'm known as a Rainbow Scarab

I am a "tunneler" type of Dung Beetle

I create a tunnel under a dung pat, lay eggs, and

Make brood balls for my little poop eaters.

Location: Hiawassee, GA

Sources: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BENEFICIAL/BEETLES/Phanaeus_vindex.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 26, 2020

I am a female Eastern Fence Lizard

I am considered a tree dweller

During breeding season males are bright blue underneath

Which is what I prefer in a feller. 

(For the next week I will be featuring critters and plants found at my inlaw's place in GA. Much thanks to them for their hospitality and patience with my bugs and other squirmy things:-)

Location: Hiawassee, GA

Sources: https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/sceund.htm

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 25, 2020

I am a Downy Woodpecker

You might confuse me with the Hairy

But I have white spots on my outer tail feathers,

And they're bigger than me - if you're comparing.

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Downy_Woodpecker/species-compare/68929231

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 24, 2020

I'm known as a Smooth Ox Beetle

I live in pine forests and am mostly nocturnal

I build a burrow, lay eggs and leave leaf litter

For my kids to eat when they hatch, how maternal!

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

Sources: https://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Ox-Beetle

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson