Aurelia labiata

Ahh, summer at the beach. The sun, the sand, the waves and those squishy blobs -- no, not your thighs. Those translucent blobs on the beach are jellyfish washed ashore by tides. Moon jellies, named for their white, moon-like shape, are common off North Carolina’s coast in late summer. Identifiable by the distinct cloverleaf pattern on top of the animal, they are the state’s most benign jellyfish. Their sting causes an unpleasant prickly sensation. A little vinegar or ammonia is supposed to relieve the pain.

Cool Links:

Jellies: Living Art - this fanciful exhibit from the Monterey Bay Aquarium presents jellyfish from an artistic perspective. Online content includes photos, species profiles, and jellyfish music videos!

What Kinds of Jellyfish are Common Along the North Carolina Coast? - from the North Carolina Aquarium.

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