Sightings – Butterflies & Moths

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 species in the cosmopolitan genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable hybrid wing patterns within this nominal species; it is one of the most dramatic examples of hybridization between non-mimetic and mimetic populations.

L. arthemis can be split into two major groups, mainly based on one physical characteristic: the presence or absence of a white band along the wings. Individuals of the northern group, called white admirals, have a conspicuous white band that traverse both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing, while those of the southern group, called red-spotted purples, lack that trait as they have evolved to mimic the poisonous pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor). Due to overlap in distribution among the two major groups, subspecies are numerous as hybridization occurs frequently.

More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 5/24/12

Observation Time: 8:20 a.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond area

Common Name: Red-spotted Purple 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 cosmopolitan genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable hybrid wing patterns within this nominal species; it is one of the most dramatic examples of hybridization between non-mimetic and mimetic populations.

L. arthemis can be split into two major groups, mainly based on one physical characteristic: the presence or absence of a white band along the wings. Individuals of the northern group, called white admirals, have a conspicuous white band that traverse both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing, while those of the southern group, called red-spotted purples, lack that trait as they have evolved to mimic the poisonous pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor). Due to overlap in distribution among the two major groups, subspecies are numerous as hybridization occurs frequently.

More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/5/11

Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.

Observation Location: Kendall estate, Moose Hill Street

Common Name: Red-spotted Purple 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 cosmopolitan genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for the several stable hybrid wing patterns within this nominal species; it is one of the most dramatic examples of hybridization between non-mimetic and mimetic populations.

L. arthemis can be split into two major groups, mainly based on one physical characteristic: the presence or absence of a white band along the wings. Individuals of the northern group, called white admirals, have a conspicuous white band that traverse both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the wing, while those of the southern group, called red-spotted purples, lack that trait as they have evolved to mimic the poisonous pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor). Due to overlap in distribution among the two major groups, subspecies are numerous as hybridization occurs frequently.

More Information: Wikipedia

Red-Spotted Purple Admiral Butterfly

Red-Spotted Purple Admiral Butterfly

Red-Spotted Purple Admiral Butterfly

Red-Spotted Purple Admiral Butterfly

Observer: Faith Berkland

Observation Date: 6/6/15

Observation Time: 1:45 p.m.

Observation Location: 302 Mansfield Street

Common Name: Red-Spotted Purple butterfly

Scientific Name: limenitis arthemis

More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Red Spotted Purple

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/4/11

Observation Time: 3:15 p.m.

Observation Location: Conservation land near Billings Street

Common Name: Roland’s Sallow Moth (caterpillar)

Scientific Name: Psaphida rolandi

More Information: Bug Guide

Roland's Sallow Moth (Caterpillar)

Roland's Sallow Moth (Caterpillar)

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/9/11

Observation Time: 4:50 p.m.

Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond

Common Name: Saw-wing Moth

Scientific Name: Euchlaena serrata

Comments: This specimen alit on my note pad and posed for the photo. Then it flew off. Yet another example of how you don’t find nature. Nature finds you! So keep that camera or smart phone handy!

More Information: BugGuide

Saw-Wing Moth

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/2/20

Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.

Observation Location: Near tennis courts at outbound train station

Common Name: Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth

Scientific Name: Antaeotricha schlaegeri

Comments: The Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth is found in north-eastern North America, south to North Carolina and west to Kansas and Texas.

Adults resemble a bird-dropping. The wingspan is 21–30 mm.

The larvae feed on white oak and related species.

More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/13/13

Observation Time: 10:55 a.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond area

Common Name: Silver-Spotted Skipper butterfly

Scientific Name: Epargyreus clarus

Comments: Adults perch upside down under leaves at night and on hot or cloudy days.

More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Silver-Spotted Skipper Butterfly

Silver-Spotted Skipper Butterfly

 

Back to the Sightings List

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 6/25/11

Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond near soccer fields

Common Name: Small Cabbage White butterfly

Scientific Name: Pieris rapae

Comments: The top photo shows a copulating pair. The male has a single black wing spot. The female has two black wing spots, and slightly yellower wings.

More Information: Wikipedia

Small Cabbage White Butterfly

Small Cabbage White Butterfly

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 9/7/13

Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam

Common Name: Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar

Scientific Name: Acronicta oblinita

Comments: For pictures of the adult moth, see: http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Acronicta+oblinita&guide=Moth&cl=US/GA/Clarke

More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Smeared Dagger Moth Caterpillar