Achemon Sphinx Moth (Eumorpha achemon)

My daughter called to me because she saw something big flying around outside. At first, I didn’t see anything, but then I saw something flapping its wings very hard. At first, I thought it might be a humming bird. Then, I saw that it was a moth. It was about mid morning when this rather …

Green Mantisfly (Zeugomantispa spp.)

I saw this odd looking bug on our front door while taking out the trash. At first, it looked like a bug holding something, but getting a closer look, I could see it was a mantis of sorts. I didn’t fully know what it was until I looked it up. It can be hard to …

Junk Bugs – Lacewing (Chrysopidae) Larva

I was sitting on my back patio over the weekend when I noticed a little ball of dust/dirt moving in a very deliberate way, the way dust ought not to move. I blew on the little ball, and it stopped moving, then picked up in the same direction again. Intrigued, I assumed it was a …

Green Orchid Bee (Euglossa dilemma Friese)

Our Queen Anne Palms are flowering, and I like to take a look at the bees pollinating. I saw this green iridescent bee, and thought I was seeing some crazy mutation, but it just ended up being a Green Orchid Bee, which was pretty cool to learn that it was even a thing. I saw …

Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

This moth was outside our front door one morning, up in the alcove. Then a couple weeks later it was on our doorstep for the day. I assumed it was dead since it was on the ground, but poking it gently with a stick told me otherwise. It was gone once evening set in. I …

Catching Critters with My Bare Hands

I was at the beach over the weekend, and walking in about waist high water. I felt something kind of slimy under my foot. I jumped at first, but then went back to see what it was, since it was kind of big. I felt around with my foot until I found it, jumping again. …