![What the “Devil” is That?](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/hickory_horned_devil04.jpg)
What the “Devil” is That?
The hickory horned devil is a blue-green colored caterpillar, about the size of a large hot dog, covered in long black thorns. They are often seen feeding on the leaves of deciduous forest trees, such as hickory, pecan, sweetgum, sumac and persimmon. For about 35...
![What Are The Wildlife Up To This Summer?](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2019/11/daylight-deer.jpg)
What Are The Wildlife Up To This Summer?
As hunters and wildlife enthusiasts we tend to focus on wildlife behavior and biology during hunting season but tend to forget about them during the summer months. But the summer months are very important to our population numbers. Hunting season includes mating...
![Year of the Turtle 2020 – the Gopher Tortoise](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/05/tortoise_1-1080x675.jpg)
Year of the Turtle 2020 – the Gopher Tortoise
This blog will wrap up our series on Florida turtles for the Year of the Turtle (2020) – and we end with a good one – the gopher tortoise. We only have two true terrestrial species of turtles in Florida, and it does not get more terrestrial than the gopher tortoise....
![Storm Season and Mosquitoes, the Double Whammy](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/mos-933x675.png)
Storm Season and Mosquitoes, the Double Whammy
Attacking mosquitos are spoilers for our outdoor activity interests this time of year. Hurricanes and other storm events tend to be a catalyst that increases these populations. Not only are mosquitos a nuisance, but they are carriers of several diseases. But, there...
![Embrace the Gulf 2020 – the cephalopods](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/Hofmeister-two-spot-octopus-CA-sea-grant--1080x675.jpg)
Embrace the Gulf 2020 – the cephalopods
For many of the blogs we have posted on marine life of the Gulf of Mexico I have used the term “amazing” – but these cephalopods are truly amazing. There have been numerous nature programs featuring not just marine invertebrates but rather highlighting the...
![Fly Trapping Plant That Does NOT Eat its Catch](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/open-petals-smaller-747x675.jpg)
Fly Trapping Plant That Does NOT Eat its Catch
Most people have heard about bug-trapping plants that sustain themselves by digesting and absorbing nutrients from bugs that they catch. This gives them the ability to grow in soils of low fertility that most other plants cannot tolerate. Good examples of this in our...
![Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Certification](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/06/florida-friendly-fishing_logo_color_withIFAS_FSG_resize-300x2651-1.jpg)
Florida Friendly Fishing Guide Certification
Fishing is big business in Florida, contributing billions of dollars each year to the state’s economy. Fishing guides are an important part of the fishing industry. Guides provide locals and tourists alike with authentic Florida fishing experiences and memories that...
![“Doing Something” in Dog Days](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/Dog-Star-nights-Astro-Bob.jpg)
“Doing Something” in Dog Days
The “Dog Days” are the hottest, muggiest days of summer. In the northern hemisphere, they usually fall between early July and early September. The actual dates vary greatly from region to region, depending on latitude and climate. In Northwest Florida, the first...
![Perennial peanut: a sustainable, low maintenance groundcover](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/per-peanut-flower-rotated.jpg)
Perennial peanut: a sustainable, low maintenance groundcover
It’s bright yellow, makes its own fertilizer, and tastes like peanut butter. On my morning walks around the track at our office, I have noticed lately that the perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata) is growing lushly, fulfilling its role as a low maintenance groundcover....
![Are We Being Invaded by Cuban Treefrogs? Maybe…](https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/files/2020/07/CTF.UFIFASWildlife.jpg)
Are We Being Invaded by Cuban Treefrogs? Maybe…
We have written about this guy before. The Cuban Treefrog is a potential threat to the Florida panhandle. According to EDDMapS, there are 13 records between Pensacola and Madison County. The records I am aware of are single individuals who appeared after the...