floridensis
janson jones
Category: Insects
Ascia monuste, 30 June 2014
Ascia monuste, the Great southern white; Volusia county, Florida (30 June 2014). The Great southern white is a butterfly species that ranges throughout much of South America, Central America, and the southeastern United States. In Florida, this is also one of the few butterfly… Continue Reading “Ascia monuste, 30 June 2014”
Papilio troilus, 24 July 2020
Papilio troilus, the Spicebush swallowtail; Volusia county, Florida (24 July 2020). Here’s a quick iPhone snapshot of a Spicebush Swallowtail loitering around our backyard a few short years ago. We have a variety of Papilio species in this region, and I’d definitely like to… Continue Reading “Papilio troilus, 24 July 2020”
Spragueia onagrus, 02 June 2014
Spragueia onagrus, the Black-dotted spragueia moth; Volusia county, Florida (02 June 2014). Mostly limited to Florida and some other stretches of the southeastern U.S. coastline, the Black-spotted spragueia is a tiny species of Family Noctuidae. As bright as it may appear here, they’re actually… Continue Reading “Spragueia onagrus, 02 June 2014”
Papilio palamedes, 23 April 2016
Papilio palamedes, the Palamedes swallowtail; Nassau county, Florida (23 April 2016). In its caterpillar from, the Palamedes swallowtail has a bit of trickery in its patterning, right? sort of looks like a pudgy snake with an exaggerated, massive head. Check out how vividly patterned… Continue Reading “Papilio palamedes, 23 April 2016”
Charadra deridens, 04 March 2015
Charadra deridens, the Laugher moth; Volusia county, Florida (04 March 2015). Laugher moths are pretty cool in an understated way. Honestly, I’m not sure why they’re referred to as “Laugher” moths, but I do love the dotted pattern on their wings. This is another… Continue Reading “Charadra deridens, 04 March 2015”
Euclea delphinii, 10 April 2013
Euclea delphinii, the Spiny oak slug moth; Lowndes county, Georgia (10 April 2013). A funky photo of a funky species. This is a Spiny oak slug moth, a moth of Family Limacodidae that sports fairly fantastic lime-green patches. The species ranges throughout much of… Continue Reading “Euclea delphinii, 10 April 2013”
Furcula borealis, 12 February 2013
Furcula borealis, the White furcula moth; Lowndes county, Georgia (12 February 2013). This is easily one of my favorite moth species, visually. What an incredibly beautiful moth, right? Unfortunately, this is the only White furcula moth I’ve ever seen and managed to photograph. Judging… Continue Reading “Furcula borealis, 12 February 2013”
Anartia jatrophae, 19 August 2006
Anartia jatrophae, the White peacock; Lake county, Florida (19 August 2006). The White peacock can be ridiculously abundant in central Florida. This is one of my most-commonly observed butterflies in my home territory of Volusia and Lake counties. Outside of Florida, they range throughout… Continue Reading “Anartia jatrophae, 19 August 2006”
Iridopsis defectaria, 26 May 2020
Iridopsis defectaria, the Brown-shaded gray; Volusia county, Florida (26 May 2020). Fairly abundant throughout the eastern half the United States and nearly all of Central America, the Brown-shaded gray is one of those easy-to-miss moths. They’re quite small and do their thing when most… Continue Reading “Iridopsis defectaria, 26 May 2020”
Dione vanillae, 10 October 2006
Dione vanillae, the Gulf fritillary; Volusia county, Florida (10 October 2006). The Gulf fritillary is one of the most commonly spotted butterflies throughout central Florida. In fact, they’re quite common across the United States, all the way west to California, and then down through… Continue Reading “Dione vanillae, 10 October 2006”
Protambulyx strigilis, 20 January 2017
Protambulyx strigilis, the Streaked sphinx; Miami-Dade county, Florida (20 January 2017). The Streaked sphinx ranges throughout peninsular Florida as well as much of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Sphinx moths are always quite dramatic in form, and the Streaked sphinx is no… Continue Reading “Protambulyx strigilis, 20 January 2017”
Anisota pellucida, 27 May 2015
Anisota pellucida, the Southern pink-striped oakworm moth; Volusia county, Florida (27 May 2015). The Southern pink-striped oakworm moth is a fairly common, if not abundant, species ranging throughout the American southeast. If you’re in the southeast, I’m sure you’ve seen one at some point… Continue Reading “Anisota pellucida, 27 May 2015”
Megalopyge crispata, 09 July 2014
Megalopyge crispata, the Black-waved flannel moth; Flagler county, Florida (09 July 2014). Flannel moths are famous for their more-dangerous caterpillar form. As caterpillars, they produce a fairly nasty venom that can seriously upset one’s day. As adults, they’re a bit more 90s-flannel mode. That… Continue Reading “Megalopyge crispata, 09 July 2014”
Coelodasys unicornis, 23 April 2014
Coelodasys unicornis, the Unicorn prominent; Flagler county, Florida (23 April 2014). A member of Family Notodontidae, the Unicorn prominent is a sight to behold. This identification is supported by both iNaturalist and BugGuide.net feedback.This is apparently a male, and a fairly green-toned one at… Continue Reading “Coelodasys unicornis, 23 April 2014”
Darapsa myron, 14 April 2015
Darapsa myron, the Virginia creeper sphinx; Volusia county, Florida (14 April 2015). Widely distributed throughout the eastern half to the continental United States, the Virginia creeper sphinx moth is a fantastic, somewhat-understated, species of Family Sphingidae. They can be seen throughout much of the… Continue Reading “Darapsa myron, 14 April 2015”
Atteva aurea, 26 April 2015
Atteva aurea, the Ailanthus webworm moth; Volusia county, Florida (26 April 2015). Ranging throughout most of the Eastern United States and nearly all of Central America, the Ailanthus webworm moth is an ermine moth most commonly observed from September through November via iNaturalist. Also… Continue Reading “Atteva aurea, 26 April 2015”
Harrisimemna trisignata, 21 July 2013
Harrisimemna trisignata, the Harris’s three-spot moth; Lowndes county, Georgia (21 July 2013). I photographed this fantastic Noctuidae on our exterior back wall in Valdosta, Georgia, a decade back. To date, it’s the only only Harris’s three-spot I’ve ever seen and photographed. Though it ranges… Continue Reading “Harrisimemna trisignata, 21 July 2013”
Haploa clymene, 25 July 2014
Haploa clymene, the Clymene moth; Volusia county, Florida (25 July 2014). Check out the sharp figure-ground contrast on this tiny moth! This is a Clymene moth, a tiny moth of Family Erebidae that ranges across much of the eastern half of the United States.
Nemoria lixaria, 12 March 2015
Nemoria lixaria, the Red-bordered emerald moth; Volusia county, Florida (12 March 2015). Oh yeah, I do love the Red-bordered emerald moth. This is one of those easy-to-miss species. They’re very, very tiny and easy to miss at night. When you do spot them, however,… Continue Reading “Nemoria lixaria, 12 March 2015”
Palpidia pallidior, 17 May 2020
Palpidia pallidior, the Pale palpidia; Volusia county, Florida (17 May 2020). A species seemingly limited in range to the Florida peninsula and perhaps Cuba, the Pale palpidia is another easy-to-miss species. Fairly tiny, this is one of the tiny moths we see flapping about… Continue Reading “Palpidia pallidior, 17 May 2020”
Spilosoma congrua, 11 May 2015
Spilosoma congrua, the Agreeable tiger moth; Volusia county, Florida (11 May 2015). Of the white moths we see at night, the Agreeable tiger moth is one of the most common. I’ve seen many of these over the years, as I’m sure many people have… Continue Reading “Spilosoma congrua, 11 May 2015”
Artace cribrarius, 09 September 2013
Artace cribrarius, the Dot-lined white moth; Volusia county, Florida (09 September 2013). I do love a little lateral-rotation window-reflection action. Here’s a fairly lovely Dot-lined white moth hanging out on one of our back windows a few years back. This species ranges throughout much… Continue Reading “Artace cribrarius, 09 September 2013”
Megalopyge opercularis, 19 September 2020
Megalopyge opercularis, the Southern flannel moth; Flagler county, Florida (19 September 2020). Now, this is a cool damn species. As adults, the Southern flannel moth is awesomely furry. You can sort of see that here, right? What you can’t see is how much furrier… Continue Reading “Megalopyge opercularis, 19 September 2020”
Spodoptera dolichos, 23 March 2014
Spodoptera dolichos, the Dolichos armyworm moth; Volusia county, Florida (23 March 2014). The March of Moths (or should I say May of Moths?) continues with one of my local favorites: The Dolichos armyworm moth. Ranging from the southeastern United States down through much of… Continue Reading “Spodoptera dolichos, 23 March 2014”
Actias luna, 07 September 2015
Actias luna, the Luna moth; Volusia county, Florida (07 September 2015). From what I can gather, the Luna Moth is a favorite among many moth enthusiasts (and, yes, there are moth enthusiasts). I’m not sure I consider them one of my favorites, though —… Continue Reading “Actias luna, 07 September 2015”
Empyreuma pugione, 31 May 2016
Empyreuma pugione, the Spotted oleander moth; Volusia county, Florida (31 May 2016). The Spotted oleander moth is one cool little species. They range throughout a good portion of the Caribbean and north through the Florida peninsula. With their brilliantly red wings, Spotted oleander moths… Continue Reading “Empyreuma pugione, 31 May 2016”
Dryocampa rubicunda, 09 April 2014
Dryocampa rubicunda, the Rosy maple moth; Flagler county, Florida (09 April 2014). Rosy maple moths are quite amazing. Though you wouldn’t know it from their pale green caterpillar form, Rosy maple moths are bright yellow with pink accents in their adult form. They’re also… Continue Reading “Dryocampa rubicunda, 09 April 2014”
Halysidota tessellaris, 24 May 2020
Halysidota tessellaris, the Banded tussock moth; Volusia county, Florida (24 May 2020). Seems I’m in a bit of a mothman mood right now. Fair enough! This is a Banded tussock moth, one of the more common species in my neck of the woods, photographed… Continue Reading “Halysidota tessellaris, 24 May 2020”
Papilio cresphontes, 04 June 2016
Papilio cresphontes, the Eastern giant swallowtail; Volusia county, Florida (04 June 2016). Also known simply as the Giant swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes is a magnificent and large butterfly species. With wingspans reaching somewhere between five and seven inches across, they’re hard to miss, especially with… Continue Reading “Papilio cresphontes, 04 June 2016”
Callopistria floridensis, 26 May 2020
Callopistria floridensis, the Florida fern moth; Volusia county, Florida (26 May 2020). Another squiggly little nocturnal moth. This is the Florida fern moth, a particularly striking wee mothen species. I must admit I love stepping out on a well-lit patio late at night. The… Continue Reading “Callopistria floridensis, 26 May 2020”
Synchlora frondaria, 17 May 2020
Synchlora frondaria, the Southern emerald; Volusia county, Florida (17 May 2020). I’m feeling the need to beef up my Lepidopteran arsenal on Floridensis. So many moths (and butterflies); so little time. Featured here is a wee Southern emerald — one of those tiny moths… Continue Reading “Synchlora frondaria, 17 May 2020”
Datana integerrima, 03 June 2013
Datana integerrima, the Walnut caterpillar moth; Lowndes county, Georgia (03 June 2013). Another Valdosta observation, here’s a fantastic Walnut caterpillar moth. It’s amazing how much diversity there is on the moth-side of Lepidoptera. It’s also amazing how easily missed they are. Most of us… Continue Reading “Datana integerrima, 03 June 2013”
Prolimacodes badia, 11 May 2013
Prolimacodes badia, the Skiff moth; Lowndes county, Georgia (11 May 2013). Here’s a moth from a time ago. I have tons of moth photos yet to post to the Floridensis feed. Hundreds of shots of so many moth species. I didn’t really think all… Continue Reading “Prolimacodes badia, 11 May 2013”
Calopteryx maculata, 11 April 2023
Calopteryx maculata, the Ebony jewelwing; Volusia county, Florida (11 April 2023). If you live anywhere in the eastern half of the United States, I’m sure you’ve seen this species. The Ebony jewelwing is a delicate, energetic Odonatan. In Florida, I often see them zipping… Continue Reading “Calopteryx maculata, 11 April 2023”
Orgyia detrita, 18 March 2023
Orgyia detrita, the Fir tussock moth; Volusia county, Florida (18 March 2023). March is Fir Tussock Month in my world. Each March (and early April), Fir tussock moth caterpillars emerge for their slow-motion flashdance across our screens, walls, and shrubs. Flashy, colorful, and fairly… Continue Reading “Orgyia detrita, 18 March 2023”
Spring Break 2023: Celithemis eponina
Celithemis eponina, the Halloween pennant; Miami-Dade county, Florida (14 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 Alas, we come to our final shot for the Spring Break 2023 bioblitz roadtrip. After failing miserably at photographing a number of Halloween pennants earlier that day, I was overjoyed… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Celithemis eponina”
Spring Break 2023: Coryphaeschna ingens
Coryphaeschna ingens, the Regal darner; Miami-Dade county, Florida (14 March 2023).Spring Break 2023 I came across this Regal darner quietly passing the day by upon the side of a tree, waiting for night to come back around. Regal darners are fairly large dragonflies ranging… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Coryphaeschna ingens”
Spring Break 2023: Dineutus carolinus
Dineutus carolinus, the Whirlgig beetle; (Tentative Identification)Collier county, Florida (12 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 This identification is a bit of a guess at the specie level. Honestly, I don’t know Dineutus whirligig beetles all that well, and I didn’t exactly get super close… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Dineutus carolinus”
Spring Break 2023: Romalea microptera
Romalea microptera, the Eastern lubber grasshopper; Collier county, Florida (12 March 2023). Spring Break 2023 A small cluster (or “cloud”) of fairly young Eastern lubber grasshoppers forage about upon a tree at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. As they mature and age, these Lubber grasshoppers will… Continue Reading “Spring Break 2023: Romalea microptera”
Acanthocephala declivis, 27 April 2013
Acanthocephala declivis, the Giant leaf-footed bug; Lake county, Florida (27 April 2013). One of my favorite non-cicada Hemipterans, the Giant leaf-footed bug may look intimidating, but the fear is relatively unwarranted. This is not a bug out to get you, despite its fearsome appearance… Continue Reading “Acanthocephala declivis, 27 April 2013”
Schistocerca alutacea, 21 November 2010
Schistocerca alutacea, the Leather-colored bird grasshopper; Lake county, Florida (21 November 2010). The Leather-colored bird grasshopper is one of our lesser-seen hoppers in central Florida, though I wouldn’t consider them rare. I just don’t see too many of them. This one was spotted in… Continue Reading “Schistocerca alutacea, 21 November 2010”
Libellula needhami, 02 July 2019
Libellula needhami, the Needham’s skimmer; Volusia county, Florida (02 July 2019). Here’s an iPhone shot of a Needham’s skimmer I came across along the edge of a roadside culvert in downtown Daytona Beach. Though I’m happy my phone was able to get this clear… Continue Reading “Libellula needhami, 02 July 2019”
Libellula axilena, 16 June 2013
Libellula axilena, the Bar-winged skimmer; Lowndes county, Georgia (16 June 2013). The elegance of a Bar-winged skimmer taking a break from all that excellent aerial combat. We certainly had no shortage of dragonflies and the like in our Valdosta, Georgia, backyard. It was something… Continue Reading “Libellula axilena, 16 June 2013”
Schistocerca obscura, 27 September 2015
Schistocerca obscura, the Obscure bird grasshopper; Brevard county, Florida (27 September 2015). Here’s an edgy Obscure bird grasshopper on the brink of taking flight in Merritt Island NWR, Florida. Most commonly seen in the late-summer and early-autumn months, this skittery species can be quite… Continue Reading “Schistocerca obscura, 27 September 2015”
Romalea microptera, 29 April 2020
Romalea microptera, the Eastern lubber grasshopper; Volusia county, Florida (29 April 2020). This is a nymph-stage Eastern lubber grasshopper. Though impressively large already, this nymphal grasshopper will grow a bit larger and take on a more yellow-and-red appearance in its adult form. Lubbers can… Continue Reading “Romalea microptera, 29 April 2020”
Pelidnota punctata, 19 June 2013
Pelidnota punctata, the Grapevine beetle; Lowndes county, Georgia (19 June 2013). If you live in the eastern U.S. and have never had one of these fly/crash into your face on a summer evening, you’re probably in the minority. At least it feels that way.… Continue Reading “Pelidnota punctata, 19 June 2013”
Libellula axilena, 29 May 2013
Libellula axilena, the Bar-winged skimmer; Lowndes county, Georgia (29 May 2013). A Bar-winged skimmer perched with ever-perfect balance and poise. Whereas cicadas often feel like over-sized, drunken pilots bludgeoning and blundering their way through the skies, their dragonfly brethren couldn’t be more opposite. They… Continue Reading “Libellula axilena, 29 May 2013”
Neotibicen lyricen virescens, 15 July 2013
Neotibicen lyricen virescens, the Coastal lyric cicada; Lowndes county, Georgia (15 July 2013). Nothing quite as bizarrely perfect as a cicada’s face head-on. What a fantastic product (or rather stage) of evolutionary progression, right? All those fantastic eyes doing their respective jobs in that… Continue Reading “Neotibicen lyricen virescens, 15 July 2013”
Erythemis simplicicollis, 05 June 2007
Erythemis simplicicollis, the Eastern pondhawk; Volusia county, Florida (05 June 2007). Being one of our more-common dragons in this part of Florida, I’m always delighted to see an Eastern pondhawk searching out adventure and carnage in the summer sunshine, especially the emerald green females… Continue Reading “Erythemis simplicicollis, 05 June 2007”
Stilpnochlora couloniana, 20 September 2015
Stilpnochlora couloniana, the Giant katydid; Volusia county, Florida (20 September 2015). The Giant katydid is one of our most-commonly seen katydid species in central Florida, especially in September and October. I don’t know if that’s because they’re the most abundant species, though. It could… Continue Reading “Stilpnochlora couloniana, 20 September 2015”
floridensis 