Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/29/12 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Spring Azure butterfly Scientific Name: Genus Celastrina Comments: This is either Celastrina ladon or Celastrina lucia. Spring azures are small butterflies that emerge in early spring. The wings are blue on top and pale white with black spots on the bottom. This specimen is worn, faded and probably nearing the […]
Read more
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
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/26/11 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: dirt road leading to the Gavins Pond dam Common Name:Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This butterfly was so preoccupied with feeding on some decomposing organic matter that I was able to approach within a few inches to take this photo. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Read more
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
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/11 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: American Lady Butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa virginiensis Comments: American Lady butterflies have two distinctive eyespots on the brown underside of the lower wings. The upper sides of the wings are orange and black. More Information: See: http://bugguide.net/node/view/236368
Read more
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
Read more
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 […]
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer field parking lot Common Name: Common Ringlet butterfly Scientific Name: Coenonympha tullia Comments: Ringlets can be found in a variety of grassy habitats, including roadsides, woodland edges and clearings, prairies, bogs, and arctic and alpine taiga and tundra. It is a poor flyer, but can sometimes be found along […]
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/7/11 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Red Admiral butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa atalanta Comments: Red Admirals prefer sap flows on trees, fermenting fruit, and bird droppings; visiting flowers only when these are not available. Then they will nectar at common milkweed, red clover, aster, and alfalfa, among others. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of […]
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/10 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Pearl Crescent butterfly Scientific Name: Phyciodes tharos Comments: The pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos) is a butterfly of North America. It is found in all parts of the United States except the west coast, and throughout Mexico and parts of southern Canada, in particular Ontario. Its habitat […]
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/10 Observation Time: 3:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: Females are dimorphic. The yellow morph differs from the male in having a blue postmedian area on the dorsal hindwing. In the dark morph, the areas that are normally yellow are replaced with dark gray or black. More […]
Read more
Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/10 Observation Time: 8:20 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Viceroy Butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus Comments: Smaller than a monarch, with a characteristic black line across the hind wings. More Information: NatureWorks
Read more