Sightings – Butterflies & Moths
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 6/14/20
Observation Time: 6:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Grape Leaffolder Moth
Scientific Name: Desmia funeralis
Comments: This moth is called a grape leaffolder because its larvae folds the leaves of muscadine grape vines and keeps them folded using bands of silk thread. This interferes with the plant’s ability to photosynthesize, and weakens it, resulting in a decreased grape harvest the following year.
More Information: Wikipedia and University of Florida
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/5/21
Observation Time: 2:10 p.m.
Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. bridge over Beaver Brook
Common Name: Grapeleaf skeletonizer moth
Scientific Name: Harrisina americana
Comments: Grapevine skeletonizer moth larvae feed on grape leaves (hence the name) and Virginia creeper leaves. Adults live only a few days. Note the feathery antennae, which are characteristic of moths.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/4/20
Observation Time: 2:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (under power lines)
Common Name: Gray Hairstreak butterfly
Scientific Name: Satyrium melinus
Comments: This Gray Hairstreak butterfly was feeding on Sweet Everlasting.
More Information: Raising Butterflies
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/15
Observation Time: 1:55 p.m.
Observation Location: Town-owned conservation land at Morse and Lakeview Streets
Common Name: Great Spangled Fritillary
Scientific Name: Speyeria cybele
Comments: Easily confused with Aphrodite Fritillary – see: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Speyeria-cybele&sp2=Speyeria-aphrodite
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America and USDA
Observer: Josh Simons
Observation Date: 7/16/11
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill area
Common Name: Great Spangled Fritillary
Scientific Name: Speyeria cybele
Comments: Easily confused with Aphrodite Fritillary – see: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Speyeria-cybele&sp2=Speyeria-aphrodite
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/7/18
Observation Time: 2:40 p.m.
Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR)
Common Name: Great Spangled Fritillary
Scientific Name: Speyeria cybele
Comments: Easily confused with Aphrodite Fritillary – see: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Speyeria-cybele&sp2=Speyeria-aphrodite
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America and USDA
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/16/10
Observation Time: 11:05 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road soccer field parking lot
Common Name: Indian Skipper butterfly
Scientific Name: Hesperia sassacus
Comments: Typically found in open areas, often with some shrubby growth, such as old fields, abandoned pastures, forest clearings, and powerline cuts.
More Information: MassAudubon.org or Butterflies and Moths of North America
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 thaws out. However, longer-term freezing periods can be harmful.
It is said that the amount of the brown on the band determines the length of the forthcoming winter. This however, is just folklore and not scientifically based.
When I lived in Colorado, I learned how to tie artificial flies that looked like wooly bear caterpillars to catch trout.
More Information: Project Noah and Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 5/23/10
Observation Time: 2:30 p.m.
Observation Location: near Gavins Pond dam
Common Name: Juvenal’s Duskywing
Scientific Name: Erynnis juvenalis
Comments: This butterfly is found throughout Massachusetts. Its flight period extends from late April through early June. See the Massachusetts Butterfly Club for more photos.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Atlas
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/24/13
Observation Time: 11:45 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly
Scientific Name: Erynnis juvenalis
Comments: Even relatively drab butterflies are beautiful.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Species List
