Insects & Spiders – Page 11 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Dot-Tailed Whiteface dragonfly (male) – 6/7/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/7/10 Observation Time: 9:05 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Dot-tailed Whiteface dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Leucorrhinia intacta Comments: This dragonfly is also among the dragonfly species commonly seen at Leach Pond in Borderland State Park. More Information: Wikipedia

Dogbane Leaf beetle – 7/12/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/10 Observation Time: 8:25 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Dogbane Leaf beetle Scientific Name: Chrysochus auratus Comments: The dogbane leaf beetle has a special type of color that shines and changes as the insect changes position or we change position looking at it. This changing color is called iridescence. The beetles’ iridescence is produced by special body […]

Delta-Spotted Spiketail dragonfly – 6/15/13

Observer: Vin Zollo Observation Date: 6/15/13 Observation Time: 4:13 p.m. Observation Location: Power line cut along Moose Hill St. Common Name: Delta-spotted Spiketail dragonfly Scientific Name: Cordulegaster diastatops Comments: This one is teneral (wings are shiny), meaning that it recently emerged into adult form. This dragonfly gets its name from the delta-shaped (i.e.triangular) marks along its abdomen. More Information: iNaturalist.org

Definite Tussock Moth – 8/23/10

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

Curve-Toothed Geometer Moth – 6/2/14

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

Cross Orbweaver Spider – 10/5/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/5/12 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Cross Orbweaver spider Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus Comments: This common spider made a web right outside our garage door. More Information: Focusing on Wildlife

Crane Fly – 5/26/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/10 Observation Time: 5:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Crane Fly Scientific Name: various Comments: These insects look scary but they don’t bite. More Information: Wikipedia

Common Spring Moth – 5/31/14

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

Common Spring Moth – 6/5/11

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

Common Green Darner dragonfly – 8/13/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/13/13 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Common Green Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Anax junius More Information: Idaho Museum of Natural History

Colorado Potato Beetle – 6/1/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/1/13 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Ward’s Berry Farm Common Name: Colorado Potato Beetle Scientific Name: Leptinotarsa decemlineata Comments: These striking beetles were eating eggplant leaves. Colorado potato beetles have developed resistance to all known classes of pesticides. More Information: Organic Garden Info

Cobbler Moth – 9/22/11

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

Clover Looper Moth – 7/2/11

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

Clouded Sulphur butterfly – 8/30/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/30/11 Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road by soccer field parking lot Common Name: Clouded Sulphur butterfly Scientific Name: Colias philodice Comments: This butterfly was hard to photograph because it would not hold still! Note the big green eyes and the spots on the wing. More Information: Wisconsin Butterflies

Monarch butterfly 9/24/14

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

Rabid Wolf Spider – 9/24/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/24/14 Observation Time: 11:20 a.m. Observation Place: TTOR’s Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: Rabid Wolf Spider Scientific Name: Rabidosa rabida Comments: This species doesn’t build webs to catch prey. Instead, they ambush or chase their prey at night. They then wrap their prey in silk. Note the egg sac in the photo below, which was taken in […]

Praying Mantis – 9/14/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/14/14 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa Comments: This praying mantis was almost 4″ long. It could be a descendant of praying mantises that hatched from eggs we mail-ordered and released in our garden years previously. More Information: Praying mantis love-making

Carpenter Ant “Frass” – 6/26/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/26/10 Observation Time: 3:20 p.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook headwaters area Common Name: Carpenter Ant “Frass” Scientific Name: genus Camponotus Comments: Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They cannot digest cellulose, but they chew galleries in wood for their nests. They excavate wood, leaving telltale piles of sawdust called “frass.”

Carolina Locust – 9/12/09

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/12/09 Observation Time: 11:15 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Carolina Locust Scientific Name: Dissosteira carolina Comments: Diagnostic pronotum ridge is clearly visible in the photo. More Information: e-Nature.com

Canada Darner dragonfly – 8/30/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/30/10 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields) Common Name: Canada Darner dragonfly Scientific Name: Aeshna canadensis Comments: Canada darner dragonflies are very common in Massachusetts in late summer near sluggish marsh-bordered streams. They typically hang vertically at rest. More Information: US Army Corps of Engineers: North Hartland Lake

Caddisfly Larva – 3/17/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 3/17/11 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: vernal pool near Bay Road Common Name: Caddisfly Larva Scientific Name: Order Trichoptera Comments: Caddisfly larva are aquatic. They build a protective case of silk around themselves, incorporating debris for camouflage and protection. Their presence is indicative of good water quality. Adult caddis flies emerge en masse for just a few weeks. After emergence, they do […]

Buckeye Butterfly – 7/9/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/11 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Buckeye Butterfly Scientific Name: Junonia coenia Comments: This bedraggled specimen is showing a lot of wear and tear on its wings. More Information: Wikipedia

Brown Mantidfly – 6/20/14

Observer: Faith Berkland Observation Date: 6/20/14 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: On one of the reflectors I have around my driveway. Common Name: Brown Mantidfly Scientific Name: Clineriella Brunnea Comments: I first thought it was a praying mantis but none of the pictures showed one that small, or with the wasp-like abdomen. I decided to see if it was a type of wasp and voila! See this photo. […]

Blue Dasher dragonfly (male) – 7/8/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/8/13 Observation Time: 5:10 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis More Information: http://www.cirrusimage.com/dragonfly_blue_dasher.htm

Blue Dasher dragonfly (female) – 7/15/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/13 Observation Time: 4:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis Comments: The male has a blue abdomen, hence the name. More Information: Wikipedia

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