--- The Florida Woods Cockroach ---

The Florida Woods Cockroach (Eurycotis floridana) is more commonly known as the palmetto bug.

The roach measures 1 to 1 1/2 inches long to 1 inch wide. They are reddish brown to black and do not have fully developed wings. They appear wingless but have short vestigial wings. These roaches are larger than other species so are easier to spot.

Florida woods cockroaches are usually found under palmetto leaves and decomposing matter. Contact with the bug may cause skin irritation as they secrete a chemical from a gland under their abdomen. This chemical secretion is used to ward off predators and it stinks.

With or without fertilization, the Florida woods cockroach produces an egg case known as an ootheca. The egg cases contain an average of 20 to 24 eggs and will hatch after 50 days. Without fertilization, only about 60% of the eggs are viable and those that hatch will not live to adulthood. The nymphs undergo 6 to 8 weeks of molts before becoming adults. They can live over a year.

Florida woods cockroaches rarely enter the home since abundant food is found outdoors. They eat mold, moss, lichens, and other organic material found in dark, damp places. However, they are primarily a detritivore since their diet consists mainly of organic waste and dead plant matter such as bark and leaves, thus returning vital nutrients to the ecosystem.

They may not be the most loved bug in our state, but the Florida woods cockroach plays a very important role in our ecosystem.

Connect. Respect. Coexist.

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #palmettobug #cockroach

--- Florida State Wildflower ---

Florida tickseed (coreopsis floridana) is just one of Florida's many diverse and beautiful wildflowers. This wildflower is endemic to Florida. It can be found throughout most of the state, except the extreme northern Panhandle counties. The Coreopsis was adopted as Florida's State Wildflower in 1991.

Coreopsis grow best in wet open habitats such as the upper edges of marshes, savannas, and prairies. This is a robust fall bloomer and can stand 3 feet tall in ideal conditions. The petals are bright yellow, surrounding a dark disc. The flowers form a bloom that is two inches across. The leaves are narrow and elliptical in shape. This plant requires wet to moist soil to survive. In such settings, it blooms into showy, beautiful wildflowers.

#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #tickseed #coreopsis #wildflower

--- Tuesday Trivia ---
What is the name of Florida's State Wildflower?
A. Tickseed
B. Black-eyed Susan
C. Coreopsis
D. Golden Aster
E. False Sunflower

Post your answer in the comments.
Answer revealed tonight at 6PM
Be the First to know!
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#ImagineOurFlorida #IOF #wildflower #nativeplant

----Public Comments Opportunity----
----🚨🚨DUE TODAY🚨🚨---

U.S. Fish and Wildlife is requesting public comments regarding the approval of an incidental take permit of the sand skink in Lake County, Florida. This skink is federally listed as threatened and is endemic to Central Florida Sand ridges.

All public comments requests should be made in one of the following ways.
1. Online: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0027.
2. U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing; Attn: Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0027; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

All information can be found here.
Online: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0027.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing; Attn: Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2019-0027; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

Direct Link to Docket:
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FWS-R4-ES-2019-0027-0001

Good Morning Monday!
We are imagining walking through a field of yellow to start our week off on a sunny note. 🌼🌾🐝🦋
Thank you Cuplet Fern Chapter.