One of the few things I like about my work place is my immediate access to nature. Why, just the other day a moth tried to hitch a ride on my leg. When I tried to transfer it to a tree, it went trekking up my arm like nobody’s business. I did manage to change its direction (God help the poor thing if it had gotten into my hair) and set it on the closest tree. It then traveled straight up, its orange wings fluttering to keep balance.

The next day I found one of these moths inside my building. Assuming it wasn’t there applying for a security guard position, I decided to usher it outside.

I set it on a tree and then went back in to work.

Later that day I found a number of these moths in a seemingly comatose state on the three oaks that line the sidewalk outside my building.

I was enchanted.

I’ve learned that these are Orange-tipped Oakworm Moths. Such lovely creatures. I also learned they can be pests. They can and have defoliated oak trees. Yet, these trees seem as yet unharmed.

These oaks give us very necessary shade during the hot days of summer (and fall) in Florida. I’m hoping the Orange-tipped Oakworm Moth doesn’t find their leaves too tasty.

. . .

And for something completely different: Cinthia Ritchie’s memoir Malnourished is now available for preorder! You can order a copy from Raised Voices Press here: https://www.raisedvoicepress.com/2019/07/18/malnourished-now-available-for-preorder/

Raised Voices Press also has a nice little write-up about Cinthia. In case you don’t already know how awesome she is, click here. You can also learn more about Cinthia on her blog at https://cinthiaritchie.com/

. . .

How are you about picking up insects? Or am I the only weird one in the room?