The structure of ball moss is a compact mass of stiff leaves arising from a central core. Both Tillandsias, as mentioned above, are part of the image of Florida. Masses of ball moss, like beads on a giant necklace, can be seen on telephone wires stretched across streets and highways in southern Florida where the humidity allows survival in such exposed areas. Spanish moss, on live and dead trees and fences is part of the image of the South. Although the ecological significance of ball moss is still to be examined, Spanish moss serves a variety of ecological roles.
Many animals use Spanish moss for protection, taking cover in thick masses of pendent strands.
Many insects and other invertebrates hide in moss masses, making it an unlikely choice for bedding by campers. Spiders, thrips, and dozens of other insects hide in the moss as well. This abundance of invertebrates may or may not be the reason that at least two species of bats also use festoons of Spanish moss for cover. Both red bats and pipistrelles use masses of Spanish moss as day-time resting sites. While many other species of birds may use strands of moss in their nest building, when these two species nest in the Southeast, Spanish moss is the major constituent of nests, being woven into hanging sacs to hold eggs and young.