Category: Butterflies & Moths

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/25/14 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This butterfly posed nicely on a thistle blossom. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/14 Observation Time: 6:10 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: Tiger swallowtails are spectacular and relatively common. More Information: Wikipedia

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/14 Observation Time: 2:25 p.m. Observation Location: undisclosed location in Sharon Common Name: Frosted Elfin Butterfly Scientific Name: Callophrys irus Comments: Frosted elfins are listed as rare by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). More Information: See the Boston Globe article on this butterfly.

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/14 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Pearl Crescent butterfly Scientific Name: Phyciodes tharos Comments: Adults find nectar from a great variety of flowers including dogbane, swamp milkweed, shepherd’s needle, asters, and winter cress. Males patrol open areas for females. The eggs are laid in small batches on the underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars […]

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 […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/27/13 Observation Time: 2:43 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Wood Nymph butterfly Scientific Name: Cercyonis pegala Comments: It’s a thrill to get so close to something wild and beautiful. More information: Mass Audubon 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

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/13 Observation Time: 4:35 p.m. Observation Location: soccer parking area near Gavins Pond Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis Comments: This diurnal moth is about the size of a bumblebee. More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/26/13 Observation Time: 5:10 p.m. Observation Location: near Beaver Brook (near train station tennis courts) Common Name: Northern Pearly-Eye butterfly Scientific Name: Enodia anthedon Comments: These three butterfly species are very similar: Eyed Brown, Appalachian Brown, and Northern Pearly-Eye. All can be found in Sharon. These two Northern Pearly-eye butterflies were courting. More Information: Butterflies of Massachusetts

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/19/13 Observation Time: 2:40 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Spring Azure butterfly Scientific Name: Celastrina spp. Comments: 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. More Information: New Jersey Butterflies  

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: 10/5/12 Observation Time: 3:55 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Painted Lady butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa cardui Comments: The Painted Lady has four small spots on the undersides of its hind wings, whereas the American Lady has two large spots. Otherwise they look very similar. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/9/12 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Sandy Ridge Circle Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly Scientific Name: Everes comyntas Comments: This beautiful little butterfly can be found in open fields from May to October. When it spreads its wings, the blue upper sides show how this butterfly gets its name. More Information: Wikipedia