Category: Butterflies & Moths

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/26/10 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts Common Name: Northern Eyed Brown butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrodes eurydice Comments: This individual was perched on the handrail of the wooden footbridge constructed by SFOC over Beaver Brook. More Information: Mass Audubon

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/2/13 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Mourning Cloak Butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: Unlike most butterfly species, mourning cloaks overwinter as adults, so they are typically the first butterflies seen in spring. This tattered individual was on its last legs, but still displayed striking coloration. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/11 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Mourning Cloak butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: Unlike most butterflies, mourning cloaks overwinter as adults, so they are often the first butterfly seen in spring. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: King Phillip’s Rock Common Name: Mottled Prominent Moth (caterpillar) Scientific Name: Macrurocampa marthesia Comments: For a photo of the adult Mottled Prominent moth, see: http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/177197-Macrurocampa-marthesia More Information: BugGuide

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/11 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: in the woods near Gavins Pond Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: A common woodland butterfly in Massachusetts. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/20/10 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: A common woodland butterfly in Massachusetts. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/10 Observation Time: 6:05 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Large Yellow Underwing moth Scientific Name: Noctua pronuba Comments: The name “Noctua” presumably comes from the same root as “nocturnal” meaning active at night. More Information: 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: 4/7/14 Observation Time: 11:55 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area (field near dam) Common Name:“The Infant” moth Scientific Name: Archiearis infans Comments: “Infans” is a Latin word meaning “an infant”; refers to the adult’s early emergence from a pupa in the spring, and is the basis for the common names “The Infant” and “First-born Geometer.” More Information: BugGuide

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: 6/2/11 Observation Time: 1:40 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: North American Harvester butterfly Scientific Name: Feniseca tarquinius Comments: The harvester is the only North American butterfly with carnivorous larvae, usually feeding on aphids. More Information: Tree of Life

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 6/24/11 Observation Time: 5:30 p.m. Observation Location: Sharon Train Station Common Name: Giant Leopard Moth Scientific Name: Hypercompe scribonia Comments: Also called Eyed Tiger Moth, this is a moth of the family Arctiidae. It is distributed throughout the Southern and Eastern United States from New England to Mexico. The obsolete name Ecpantheria scribonia is still occasionally encountered. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/16/13 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: False Crocus Geometer Moth Scientific Name: Xanthotype urticaria Comments: I was surprised to see this striking yellow moth in my backyard during the day, as most moths are nocturnal. Typically moths have longer, larger and more elaborate antennae than butterflies. More Information: NatureSearch

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 12:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: European Skipper butterfly Scientific Name: Thymelicus lineola Comments: There are hundreds of these non-native butterflies in the Hayfield at this time of year. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/14 Observation Time: 3:44 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Eastern tent caterpillar Scientific Name: Malacosoma americanum Comments: This pest has spectacular coloration. More Information: A Prairie Haven

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/23/10 Observation Time: 6:53 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Definite Tussock Moth Scientific Name: Orgyia definita Comments: This big moth got into the house. See: Moths of North America More Information: Bug Guide

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/2/14 Observation Time: 7:45 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Curve-toothed geometer moth Scientific Name: Eutrapela clemataria Comments: This big moth was perched on my windowsill. More Information: NatureSearch

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/14 Observation Time: 4:05 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Common Spring Moth Scientific Name: Heliomata cycladata Comments: Although the word “common” appears in its name, I have only seen this small but striking moth twice in Sharon. More Information: Bug Guide

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/5/11 Observation Time: 7:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Common Spring Moth Scientific Name: Heliomata cycladata Comments: There are over 10,000 species of moths in North America. Identifying them can be a challenge, but there are some good online resources such as the BugGuide where you can get expert assistance for free. More Information: BugGuide

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/11 Observation Time: 3:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Cobbler moth Scientific Name: Condica sutor Comments: There are over 10,000 species of moths in North America. Identifying them can be a challenge, but there are some good online resources such as the Bug Guide. More Information: Bug Guide

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/2/11 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Soccer field parking lot off Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Clover Looper Moth Scientific Name: Caenurgina crassiuscula Comments: This moth stopped to rest on the soccer field parking lot, allowing me to get close enough for this shot. I got the ID from bugguide.net. More Information: A Prairie Haven

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/24/14 Observation Time: 1:15 p.m. Observation Place: TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Monarch Butterfly Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Comments: With winter approaching, this monarch was nearing the end of its life. Monarchs make an epic, multi-generational migration. Check it out at the link below. More Information: National Geographic