Insects & Spiders – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Isabella Tiger Moth (caterpillar) – 10/10/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/10/24 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: near Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Isabella Tiger Moth caterpillar (a.k.a. banded wooly bear) Scientific Name: Pyrrharctia isabella Comments: Isabella tiger moths overwinter as caterpillars before pupating in spring and subsequently emerging as adult moths. The caterpillars are somewhat tolerant to short-term freezing periods in which the entire caterpillar is frozen and then […]

Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle – 9/28/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/29/24 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Pink-Spotted Lady Beetle Scientific Name: Coleomegilla maculata Comments: The pink-spotted lady beetle feeds on the eggs of several moths that eat corn crops, so perhaps it was no coincidence that I enountered this one near a corn field at Ward’s Berry Farm. The pink-spotted lady beetle can eat around […]

Marbled Orbweaver Spider – 9/28/24

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 9/28/24 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Marbled Orbweaver Spider Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus Comments: Brightly colored marbled orbweaver spiderwebs are found in trees, shrubs and tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded settings and can frequently be found along the banks of streams. The webs are oriented vertically and have a “signal” […]

Marbled Orbweaver Spider – 9/24/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/24/24 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Marbled Orbweaver Spider Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus Comments: Brightly colored marbled orbweaver spiderwebs are found in trees, shrubs and tall weeds, and grasses in moist, wooded settings and can frequently be found along the banks of streams. The webs are oriented vertically and have a “signal” […]

Polyphemus Moth – 7/20/24

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/20/24 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Common Name: Polyphemus Moth Scientific Name: Antheraea polyphemus Comments: The polyphemus moth is a North American member of the family Saturnidae, the giant silk moths. More Information: Wikipedia

Pale Green Weevil – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State park Common Name: Pale Green Weevil Scientific Name: Polydrusus impressifrons Comments: This brilliant metallic-green broad-nosed weevil joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. Weevils are a type of beetle whose mouths are adapted to sucking juices from leaves and other plant parts. More Information: University of Minnesota

Golden Jumping Spider – 6/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/23/24 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Golden Jumping Spider Scientific Name: Paraphidippus aurantius Comments: This strikingly marked jumping spider joined us at a picnic table at Borderland State Park. More Information: iNaturalist

American Carrion Beetle – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:40 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (T.T.O.R.) Common Name: American Carrion Beetle Scientific Name: Necrophilia americana Comments: From spring through fall, during daylight, a few hours after flies begin arriving at a carcass, the adult beetles will arrive as well. They immediately begin eating the already hatching fly larvae, mating, and laying their own eggs. As long as […]

Morbid Owlet Moth – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Morbid Owlet Moth Scientific Name: Chytolita morbidalis Comments: The morbid owlet moth is found in large parts of North America The larvae feed on the leaves of various deciduous trees. As you can see from the photo, the adult moth blends in with the leaf litter on […]

Spicebush Swallowtail – 6/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/24 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (T.T.O.R.) Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: I saw this spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeding on a flowering beauty bush beside the driveway leading into Moose Hill Farm. Spicebush swallowtail butterflies are similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Spicebush swallowtails have a marking that looks like a comet […]

Red Admiral butterfly – 5/4/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/4/24 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (Trustees of Reservations) Common Name: Red Admiral butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa atalanta Comments: Mating usually occurs in late fall or early winter following collective migration to southern regions with a warmer climate. The red admiral’s main host plant, stinging nettle, is most abundant during this migration. Larval development proceeds through […]

Mourning Cloak Butterfly – 4/23/24

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/23/24 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Mourning Cloak Butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: This striking butterfly overwinters as an adult. That is why it is the first butterfly to be seen in early spring. More Information: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Nymphalis-antiopa

Marbled Orbweaver Spider – 9/26/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 9/26/23 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Mansfield St. Common Name: Marbled Orbweaver Spider Scientific Name: Araneus marmoreus var. marmoreus Comments: Although usually found in woodland, this one was found on the side of a house. It is most likely a male. More Information: Wikipedia

Red-headed Bush Cricket – 8/26/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/26/23 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: my back yard (Gavins Pond Road) Common Name: Red-headed Bush Cricket (a.k.a. Handsome Trig) Scientific Name: Phyllopalpus pulchellus Comments: I had never seen one of these before I spotted this one on the wall of my house, but apparently they are pretty common. It has really long antennae and strange-lloking mouth parts that look […]

Snowberry Clearwing Moth – 8/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/23 Observation Time: 4:20 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis Comments: This one was feeding on butterfly bush in my back yard (a ruby-throated hummingbird was feeding there at the same time). Large, sometimes feathery antennae are more typical of moths than butterflies. More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Red-spotted Admiral butterfly – 8/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/11/23 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) Common Name: Red-spotted Admiral butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis astyanax Comments: The red-spotted purple butterfly is the same species as the white admiral butterfly. It is a North American species in the genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable […]

White Admiral butterfly – 8/10/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/10/23 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: White Admiral butterfly (same species as Red-spotted Purple Admiral – see below) Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis astyanax Comments: The white Admiral butterfly is a North American species in the genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable hybrid wing patterns […]

Clymene Moth – 8/2/23

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 8/2/23 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Arboro Drive Common Name: Clymene Moth Scientific Name: Haploa clymene Comments: Unlike most moths, the Clymene moth is equally active both day and night. It also prefers moist areas and can be found near wetlands and water sources. At night, it is attracted to lights. The Clymene moth is often found near wet […]

Cicada – 7/31/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 7/31/23 Observation TIme: 6:30 p.m. Observation Location: Mansfield St. Common Name: Cicada (a.k.a. Dogday Cicada) Scientific Name: Neotibicen canicularis Comments: This cicada was just hanging onto a sheet hung outside. It was there from at least late morning to 8:30 PM and longer. It was not there in the morning. It barely moved the entire time it was observed. One genus […]

Luna Moth Caterpillar – 7/27/23

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/27/23 Observation Time: 8:00 am Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Luna Moth Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: I first identified this as a Polythemus moth caterpillar. My observation on iNaturalist was corrected and it was agreed that this is a Luna Moth caterpillar. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one […]

Red-spotted Purple Admiral – 7/25/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 7/25/23 Observation Time: 12:30 p.m. Observation Location: Mansfield St. Common Name: Red-spotted Purple butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis Comments: This butterfly was on this ramp to a shed for several hours, just opening and closing its wings, occasionally taking a short flight. The red-spotted purple butterfly is the same species as the white admiral butterfly. It is a North American […]

Tomentose Burying Beetle – 7/22/23

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/22/23 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Tomentose Burying Beetle Scientific Name: Nicrophorus tomentosus Comments: I observed this beetle consuming a dead animal on Moose Hill St. The beetle belongs to the family Silphidae, which are carrion beetles. The beetles have sensitive antennae that contain olfactory organs. Thus, the beetle can locate dead animals and […]

Unknown wasp species – 7/21/23

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 7/21/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill (under power lines) Common Name: unknown wasp species Scientific Name: Euodynerus undescribed species F Comments: This small wasp has been identified as a known species that has not been formally described. As such, it is currently known as “Euodynerus undescribed species F”. Once it has been formally described it will be […]

Moth Fly or Drain Fly – 7/1/23

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 7/1/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Billings St. Common Name: Moth Fly or Drain Fly Scientific Name: Family Psychodidae, possibly genus Pericoma Comments: There are many species of flies in the family Psychodidae. Some are called “drain flies” because they thrive in the drains of sinks and commonly infest bathrooms. Other species in this family are called […]

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle – 6/22/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/23 Observation Time: 12:45 pm Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Six-spotted tiger beetle Scientific Name: Cicindela sexguttata Comments: Female six-spotted tiger beetles lay eggs in sandy patches. When they hatch, the larvae burrow into the ground. The larvae lie in wait until small arthropods walk by. Then they pounce much like a jack in the box. The larvae pupate after a year. […]

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