Insects & Spiders – Page 12 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Blue Dasher dragonfly – 7/19/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/19/10 Observation Time: 5:20 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer field parking lot Common Name: Blue Dasher dragonfly Scientific Name: Pachidiplax longipennis Comments: Female is brown with red eyes and yellow markings. Male is blue with green eyes. More Information: Wikipedia Female: Male:

Banded Net-Winged Beetle – 8/6/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/6/11 Observation Time: 8:10 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard) Common Name: Banded Net-Winged Beetle Scientific Name: Calopteron discrepans Comments: This colorful beetle is found throughout the eastern U.S. Its bright color and contrast warn predators that they taste bad if eaten. More Information: University of Florida

Aurora Damsel – 6/21/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/21/10 Observation Time: 10:40 a.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts Common Name: Aurora Damsel Scientific Name: Chromagrion conditum Comments: When perched, the aurora damsel keeps its wings spread, unlike other damselflies that fold their wings above their abdomens. More Information: Visiting Nature

Appalachian Brown Butterfly – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Appalachian Brown Butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrodes appalachia Comments: Easily confused with Eyed Brown Butterfly (Satyrodes eurydice). See: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Satyrodes-eurydice&sp2=Satyrodes-appalachia More Information: Mass Audubon

American Copper Butterfly – 5/21/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/21/14 Observation Time: 1:20 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond dam Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: Like many small butterflies, the American copper is a stunning sight when viewed up close. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 10/18/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/18/12 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (front yard) Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This small but colorful butterfly can be seen all summer and into the fall. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

American Copper Butterfly – 5/12/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/12 Observation Time: 6:00 p.m. Observation Location: Furnace St. under high tension wires Common Name: American Copper Butterfly Scientific Name: Lycaena phlaeas Comments: This individual was chasing another to mate. More Information: Butterflies and Moths

Tiger Swallowtail butterfly – 7/25/14

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

Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly – 7/6/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/6/14 Observation Time: 1:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer parking area Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio troilus Comments: This spicebush swallowtail butterfly was observed feeding on milkweed flowers. Note that spicebush swallowtail butterflies are very similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Learn how to tell the difference at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus

Tetragnatha Spider – 6/7/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/7/14 Observation Time: 12:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Tetragnatha Spider Scientific Name: Tetragnatha sp. Comments: Typically found near ponds and wetlands. More Information: Wikipedia

Nursery Web Spider – 6/1/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/1/14 Observation Time: 12:10 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Nursery web spider Scientific Name: Pisaurina mira Comments: This large spider was on a tree trunk in my back yard. More Information: Kentucky Spiders

Tiger Swallowtail butterfly – 5/26/14

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

Frosted Elfin Butterfly – 5/21/14

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.

Pearl Crescent butterfly – 5/21/14

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 […]

Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly – 5/11/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/14 Observation Time: 6:15 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly Scientific Name: Cupido comyntas Comments: Like many small butterflies, the Eastern tailed blue is a stunning sight when viewed up close. The upper sides of the wings are blue. They appear in spring. More Information: Wikipedia

Eastern Pine Elfin – 5/7/14

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 […]

Blister Beetle – 4/3/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/3/14 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Blister Beetle Scientific Name: Tricrania sanguinipennis Comments: Blister beetles receive their common name from the ability of their hemolymph to produce blistering on contact with human skin. Hemolymph is often exuded copiously by reflexive bleeding when an adult beetle is pressed or rubbed. Blisters commonly occur on the neck […]

Harvestman (Daddy Longlegs) – 10/2/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/2/13 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Place: Woods near Beaver Brook (near Sharon train station) Common Name: Harvestman (Daddy Longlegs) Scientific Name: Opiliones family Comments: Harvestmen are 8-legged arachnids, but they are not true spiders. Their bodies are oval-shaped and have no waist like a spider. They do not produce venom, and they are harmless to humans. Harvestmen are omnivores, eating a variety of organic […]

Cross Orbweaver spider – 10/1/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/1/13 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Cross Orbweaver spider Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus Comments: Native to Europe, but common in North America. Its name comes from the sign of the cross on its abdomen. More Information: GeoChemBio

Locust Borer Beetle – 9/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/30/13 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (front yard) Common Name: Locust borer beetle Scientific Name: Megacyllene robiniae Comments: I spotted this beetle near locust trees. More Information: Tumblr: Animal World

Praying Mantis – 7/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/30/13 Observation Time: 5:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road backyard Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa Comments: This insect looks like it is praying, hence the name. It can swivel its head 180° to look for prey. More Information: Wikipedia

Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) – 7/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/30/13 Observation Time: 3:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find and phoyograph one that’s not already recorded on this web site? More Information: Ecobirder

Wood Nymph butterfly – 7/27/13

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

Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly – 7/24/13

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

Great Black Wasp & prey – 7/18/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/18/13 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Great Black Wasp Scientific Name: Sphex pensylvanicus Comments: This photo shows a great black wasp carrying a paralyzed katydid to its burrow. Sphex pensylvanicus is a species of digger wasp. It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). The larvae feed on […]

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