Insects & Spiders – Page 2 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Moth Fly or Drain Fly – 7/1/23

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 7/1/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: trail off Billings St. Common Name: Moth Fly or Drain Fly Scientific Name: Family Psychodidae, possibly genus Pericoma Comments: There are many species of flies in the family Psychodidae. Some are called “drain flies” because they thrive in the drains of sinks and commonly infest bathrooms. Other species in this family are called […]

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle – 6/22/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/23 Observation Time: 12:45 pm Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Six-spotted tiger beetle Scientific Name: Cicindela sexguttata Comments: Female six-spotted tiger beetles lay eggs in sandy patches. When they hatch, the larvae burrow into the ground. The larvae lie in wait until small arthropods walk by. Then they pounce much like a jack in the box. The larvae pupate after a year. […]

Slaty Skimmer (immature male) – 6/22/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/23 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Slaty Skimmer dragonfly (immature male) Scientific Name: Libellula incesta Comments: This is an immature male. Click HERE to learn how to tell the differences among male, female and immature slaty skimmers. More Information: Odonata.bogfoot.net

Luna Moth – 6/20/23

Observer: Daniel Kaufman Observation Date: 6/20/23 Observation Time: 8:00 am Observation Location: 14 Paul Revere Rd. Common Name: Luna Moth Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: This male luna moth came over for a visit. Note the feathery antennae characteristic of moths. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one of the most spectacular moths in our area. Adults […]

Red-spotted Admiral butterfly – 6/10/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/10/23 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) Common Name: Red-spotted Admiral (or 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 genus Limenitis. It has been studied for its evolution of mimicry, and for […]

Luna Moth – 6/5/23

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 6/5/23 Observation Time: evening Observation Location: Massapoag Brook Common Name: Luna Moth Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: This male has prominnt antennae. Its tattered wings suggest that it’s near the end of its short life. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one of the most spectacular moths in our area. Adults are […]

White slant-line moth – 6/1/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/1/23 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: White slant-line moth Scientific Name: Tetracis cachexiata) Comments: The caterpillars of the white slant-line moth are twig mimics, like other members of the Geometer family. Their brown, narrow bodies hold on to a branch at one end and stretch away from the branch to look like a twig. […]

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – 5/30/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/30/23 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (appeared on the desk in my living room!) Common Name: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (adult) Scientific Name: Halyomorpha Halys Comments: Stink bugs molt several times before reaching maturity. Each phase is referred to as an instar. More Information: Featured Creatures

Black Swallowtail butterfly – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:10 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Black Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio polyxenes Comments: Black swallowtail butterflies look a lot like spicebush swallowtail butterflies. You can learn how to tell the difference between a black swallowtail and a spicebush swallowtail at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus There is also a good discussion of how to tell the differences among […]

Little Wood Satyr butterfly – 5/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/25/23 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: As the name implies, the wood satyr is most commonly seen in woods and shrubby areas. More Information: Wikipedia

Cuckoo Bee – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 3:05 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Cuckoo Bee Scientific Name: Nomada maculata Comments: Cuckoo bees lay their eggs in the colonies of other species of bees so they do not have to raise their own young, much as cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. More Information: Wikipedia

Wool Sower Gall Wasp – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Wool Sower Gall Wasp Scientific Name: Callirhytis seminator Comments: Pink-spotted, white cottony wool sower galls are about the size of a ping-pong ball and are produced by a tiny species of Cynipid wasp, Callirhytis seminator, and are most commonly found on white oaks. More Information: The UnderStory

Pearl Crescent Butterfly – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond 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 – 5/21/23

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 5/21/23 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: 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. The orange spots and “tails” on the trailing edge of their […]

Mourning Cloak Butterfly – 5/16/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/16/23 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Mourning Cloak Butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: This striking butterfly overwinters as an adult. That is why it is the first butterfly to be seen in early spring. This battle-scarred individual was inhabiting a small clearing beside the trail. As I stood and watched, it flew within a […]

Carpenter Bee – 5/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/11/23 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (Billings Loop barn) Common Name: Carpenter Bee Scientific Name: Xylocopa virginica Comments: Carpenter bees look like bumblebees, but they have a completely black, shiny, hairless abdomen (the rear section). They mate in April or May. The female carpenter bee starts looking for a suitable nest site, such as […]

Ringed Boghaunter dragonfly – 5/10/23

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 5/10/23 Observation Time: 12:04 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR). The exact location can be seen here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/160951954 Common Name: Ringed Boghaunter dragonfly Scientific Name: Williamsonia lintneri Comments: The aquatic nymphs of the ringed boghaunter lives underwater for over a year. In late April to early May they are one of the first dragonflies to emerge from the water […]

Cecropia Moth cocoon – 5/9/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/9/23 Observation Time: 7:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Cecropia Moth cocoon Scientific Name: Hyalophora cecropia Comments: I used an app called SEEK to identify this strange thing I spotted beside the trail. More Information: Cecropia Moth

Black Swallowtail – 5/6/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/23 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Black Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio polyxenes Comments: I was surprised to see this black swallowtail butterfly so early in the season. It was feeding on the blossoms of a flowering tree near the barn on the Billings Loop. Black swallowtail butterflies look a lot like […]

Tiger Swallowtail – 5/6/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/6/23 Observation Time: 8:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This striking, large butterfly is fairly common in Sharon. I was surprised to see it so early in the season. It was feeding on a flowering tree near the barn on the Billings Loop. It appears to be missing […]

Spring Azure butterfly – 4/25/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/25/23 Observation Time: 1:25 pm Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd (my back yard) 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 white with dark specks on the underside. It’s hard to get a photo of the beautiful blue on the upper side […]

Luna Moth (caterpillar) – 8/20/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 8/20/22 Observation Time: 10:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Luna Moth (caterpillar) Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: This luna moth caterpillar was crossing the street, so I moved it to safety. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one of the most spectacular moths in our area. Adults are very […]

Painted Skimmer Dragonfly – 6/21/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/21/22 Observation Time: 11:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Painted Skimmer dragonfly Scientific Name: Libellula semifasciata Comments: Painted Skimmers live up to their name, and the wings especially glow with color. A rich brown, the thorax has two whitish to yellow diagonal stripes on each side. The abdomen has yellow edges and a jagged black central stripe on the […]

Early Tachinid Fly – 6/2/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/2/22 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Early Tachinid Fly Scientific Name: Epalpus signifer Comments: This specimen was identified with the Seek iOS app. More Information: Wikipedia and Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium

Dimorphic Jumping Spider – 6/12/22

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 6/12/22 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Dimorphic Jumping Spider Scientific Name: Maevia inclemens Comments: Identified by Seek iOS app. More Information: Wikipedia

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