Sightings – Butterflies & Moths
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/11
Observation Time: 3:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond
Common Name: Dusted Skipper Butterfly
Scientific Name: Atrytonopsis hianna
More Information: BugGuide
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/9/20
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: meadow near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Dusted Skipper Butterfly
Scientific Name: Atrytonopsis hianna
Comments: Note the proboscis extended to gather nectar. Also note the finely banded antennae.
More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies
Observer: Faith Berkland
Observation Date: 10/8/17
Observation Time: 5:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Transmission line path between Bird Road, Mansfield Street and Willow Street in Foxboro
Common Name: Eastern Buck Moth
Scientific Name: Hemileuca maia
Comments: This large moth (about 1 inch long by 1 1/2 inches wide) was flying toward me. Wide head, white & fuzzy. Above low-lying shrubbery, it quickly disappeared when it saw me. I didn’t see any orange or red markings, just black & white. The photo at this link shows what a buck moth looks like:
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sites/default/files/bamona_images/img_1703_3.jpg
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/20/20
Observation Time: 5:10 p.m.
Observation Location: under high tension wires across the street from Ward’s Berry Farm
Common Name: Eastern Pine Elfin
Scientific Name: Callophrys niphon
Comments: Males perch on tops of pine trees in the sun to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on new needles of young trees; caterpillars feed on the needles. Chrysalids hibernate and adults emerge in the spring.
More Information: Butterflies of Massachusetts
Observer: Vin Zollo
Observation Date: 5/4/13
Observation Time: 3:35 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (Trustees of Reservations)
Common Name: Eastern Pine Elfin
Scientific Name: Callophrys niphon
More Information: Butterflies of Massachusetts
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/7/14
Observation Time: 4:15 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area (along the dirt road from the soccer fields to the dam)
Common Name: Eastern Pine Elfin
Scientific Name: Callophrys niphon
Comments: Males perch on tops of pine trees in the sun to find receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on new needles of young trees; caterpillars feed on the needles. Chrysalids hibernate and adults emerge in the spring.
More Information: Butterflies of Massachusetts
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/19/20
Observation Time: 11:10 a.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Eastern Tailed Blue butterfly
Scientific Name: Cupido comyntas
Comments: Like many small butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue is a stunning sight when viewed up close. The upper sides of the wings are blue. They appear in spring. The orange spots and “tails” on the trailing edge of their lower wings differentiate them from spring azures.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 5/21/23
Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Eastern Tailed Blue butterfly
Scientific Name: Cupido comyntas
Comments: Like many small butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue is a stunning sight when viewed up close. The upper sides of the wings are blue. They appear in spring. The orange spots and “tails” on the trailing edge of their lower wings differentiate them from spring azures.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/27/11
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Eastern Tailed Blue butterfly
Scientific Name: Everes comyntas
Comments: Eastern tailed blues are very small butterflies. They have tails and an eye spot on each wing that vaguely resemble antennae and eyes to fool predators.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/11/14
Observation Time: 6:15 p.m.
Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly
Scientific Name: Cupido comyntas
Comments: Like many small butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue is a stunning sight when viewed up close. The upper sides of the wings are blue. They appear in spring.
More Information: Wikipedia
