Roadside
Guides
Amblyscirtes phylace
Orange-headed Roadside-Skipper, Red-headed Roadside Skipper
Amblyscirtes phylace is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae, distributed from the southwestern United States to Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 22–29 mm and are characterized by orange or reddish coloration on the head. The species is known to feed on flower nectar as adults.
Pholisora catullus
common sootywing, roadside rambler
Pholisora catullus, commonly known as the common sootywing or roadside rambler, is a small skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. The species has experienced significant population declines in parts of its range, including regional extinction from Davis, California by 2007. It occurs from the central United States south to central Mexico, with vagrant individuals occasionally reaching more northern areas. The species is not found in peninsular Florida.
Trichonephila clavata
Jorō spider, Joro Spider, Parachute spider
Trichonephila clavata, commonly known as the Jorō spider, is a large orb-weaving spider native to East Asia that has become established as an invasive species in the southeastern United States since approximately 2010. First confirmed in Georgia in 2014, it has expanded rapidly across multiple states through a combination of ballooning dispersal and human-mediated transport. The species is notable for its substantial size, striking coloration, and extensive golden webs, but poses minimal risk to humans due to small fangs and docile behavior. Its physiological adaptations—including higher metabolic rate, faster heart rate, and greater cold tolerance than its congener Trichonephila clavipes—suggest potential for continued northward range expansion.
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