October 31, 2023

I am a Florida Scrub Lizard

I can be reddish, brown or gray

If I'm male I'll have aqua on my tummy

I forage on the ground when looking for prey.

Special thanks to today's guest photographer, David Simpson!

Location: Tiger Creek Preserve, Polk County

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW133

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 30, 2023

I am known as a Glaphyria basiflavalis

I am known to be a leaf chewer

Apart from that fact, not much has been written about me

But I look lacy and am not an evil-doer.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bioone.org/journals/Florida-Entomologist/volume-98/issue-1/024.098.0168/Diversity-of-Arthropods-Associated-with-Mikania-spp-and-Chromolaena-odorata/10.1653/024.098.0168.pdf

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 29, 2023

I am an insect in the Subgenus Mesocyphona

I am some species of Crane Fly

But to know for sure you would have to go through a document like this

And have lots of patience and time.

Location:  My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/6289/SCtZ-0045-Lo_res.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 28, 2023

I am an insect in the family Derbidae

There are over 1700 species in my family world wide

We are commonly known as "planthoppers"

In the eastern US our species number 55.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://sites.udel.edu/planthoppers/north-america/north-american-derbidae/

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 27, 2023

I am known as an American Kestrel

I am an "ambassador bird" rescue

That means I was cannot be released into the wild

But I can look good, educate and impress you!

Location: Nature Festival, Captive Bird

Sources: https://cbop.audubon.org/about/florida-raptors

https://cbop.audubon.org/get-involved/adopt-raptor

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 26, 2023

We are known as Compact Carpenter Ants

We have round butts and on our head there's some hair

We are smaller than Florida Carpenter Ants

But we might still leave your house needing repairs!

Location: Nature Festival Rest Room

Sources: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/c_planatus.htm

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

October 25, 2023

I am known as a Common Green Leafhopper

My dots look like henna patterns people get on their hands

I'm a big fan of black-eyed peas - 

The legumes, a bit more than the band.

Location: My house, Fellsmere

Sources: https://bugguide.net/node/view/38813

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson