Insects & Spiders – Page 3 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Tiger Swallowtail – 5/20/22

Observer: Richard Mandell Observation Date: 5/20/22 Observation Time: 11:55 a.m. Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This gorgeous butterfly discovered the sugar water in my hummingbird feeder. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – 11/11/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/11/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. (my back yard) 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

Spotted Lanternfly – 8/7/21

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 8/7/21 Observation Time: 10:09 p.m. Observation Location: Old Wolomolopoag Street Common Name: Spotted Lanternfly Scientific Name: Lycorma delicatula Comments: I photographed a Spotted Lanternfly at my garage. I submitted it to iNaturalist. You can see the photo here:https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90398980. I also reported this invasive pest species to the state. The Spotted Lanternflyis native to China and was first detected in Pennsylvania […]

Grapevine Beetle – 7/10/21

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/10/21 Observation Time: 12:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Grapevine Beetle (a.k.a Spotted June Beetle) Scientific Name: Pelidnota punctata Comments: This is a large and beautiful beetle in the Scarab family. Its dark legs indicate this is a northern variety of this beetle. More Information: Wikipedia 12

Common Green Bottle Fly – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Common Green Bottle Fly Scientific Name: Lucilia sericata Comments: The common green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) is a blowfly found in most areas of the world and is the most well-known of the numerous green bottle fly species. Its body is slightly larger than a […]

Mexican Grass Carrying Wasp – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp Scientific Name: Isodontia mexicana Comments: Isodontia mexicana is mainly found throughout North America, but has become established in Europe, primarily France, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, and Spain. These wasps build their nests in hollowed branches or in other natural cavities, often […]

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. bridge over Beaver Brook Common Name: Grapeleaf skeletonizer moth Scientific Name: Harrisina americana Comments: Grapevine skeletonizer moth larvae feed on grape leaves (hence the name) and Virginia creeper leaves. Adults live only a few days. Note the feathery antennae, which are characteristic of moths. More Information: Wikipedia

Great Golden Digger Wasp – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. (on the bridge over Beaver Brook) Common Name: Great Golden Digger Wasp Scientific Name: Sphex ichnumoneus Comments: Sphex ichnumoneus is a species of solitary wasp, commonly known as the Great Golden Digger Wasp. This large and colorful wasp can frequently be found nectaring at flowers in late summer and fall. It makes burrows in […]

Long-legged Fly – 7/5/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/5/21 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Maskwonicut St. near Beaver Brook Common Name: Long-legged fly Scientific Name: Condylostylus patibulatus Comments: Metallic green long-legged flies are typically found near water. I encountered this one hopping from leaf to leaf on vegetation growing on the bridge over Beaver Brook. Adult flies are predaceous on mites, aphids, booklice, thrips, flies, silverfish, small […]

Monarch Butterfly – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Place: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Monarch Butterfly Scientific Name: Danaus plexippus Comments: Monarchs make an epic, multi-generational migration. Check it out at the link below. More Information: National Geographic

Spicebush Swallowtail – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 12:55 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon (Billings Loop near the barn) 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 quite similar to black swallowtail butterflies. Spicebush swallowtails have a marking that looks like a comet among the row […]

Tiger Swallowtail – 6/24/21

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/24/21 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: This striking, large butterfly is fairly common in Sharon. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Globular Springtail – 4/4/21

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 4/4/21 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Globular Springtail Scientific Name: Sminthuridas malmgreni Comments: This is the first report of a globular springtail on Bugguide.net or iNaturalist anywhere in the USA. However, globular springtails are not uncommon. Check out this fascinating Youtube, and find out why they are called “springtails”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu01EUeE5PM More information: Bugguide.net

Water Beetle – 4/4/21

Observer: Gaurav Shah Observation Date: 4/4/21 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Water Beetle Scientific Name: tribe Hyphydrini, subfamily Hydroporinae, family Dytiscidae Comments: This is the first BugGuide.net report of this tribe and genus in Massachusetts. More information: BugGuide.net and Wikipedia

Wolf Spider – 4/1/21

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 3/26/21 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Place: Moose Hill area Common Name: Wolf spider Scientific Name: Gladicosa gulosa Comments: I would have been happier finding this wolf spider outside rather than in our mudroom. I captured it and deposited it outside — before reading that some wolf spiders can be aggressive towards humans, that their bite can take a few weeks to […]

Springtails – 11/29/20

Observer: Kurt Buermann Observation Date: 11/29/20 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: 45 Furnace St. Common Name: Globular Springtails Scientific Name: Sminthuridae Comments: I have often seen these brown dots floating in water, ponds or birdbaths. Today I got really curious. With the naked eye they seem like some sort of pollen. If you scoop a few onto your finger tip they jump off so they are […]

Goldrenrod Bunch Gall Midge – 9/9/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/9/20 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Goldrenrod Bunch Gall Midge Scientific Name: Rhopalomyia solidaginis Comments: This peculiar insect makes a gall on goldenrod. More Information: iNaturalist

White Banded Crab Spider – 9/7/20

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 9/7/2020 Observation Time: 11:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: White-banded Crab Spider Scientific Name: Misumessus formosipes Comments: These spiders (also called flower spiders) can change color to match the flowers they are hunting in. Cool. More Information: iNaturalist

Bee Fly – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:15 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Bee fly Scientific Name: Systropus macer Comments: This fly looks like a wasp. It was feeding on a late purple aster blossom beside the dirt road under the power lines. More Information: Forestry Images and Bugguide.net

Gray Hairstreak Butterfly – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (under power lines) Common Name: Gray Hairstreak butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrium melinus Comments: This Gray Hairstreak butterfly was feeding on Sweet Everlasting. More Information: Raising Butterflies

Pure Gold-Green Sweat Bee – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 1:10 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Pure Gold-Green Sweat Bee Scientific Name: Augochlora pura Comments: The pure gold-green sweat bee is a solitary sweat bee native to the eastern United States with striking green iridescence. This species is an important native pollinator in eastern deciduous forests and other habitats. It emerges in spring […]

Clouded Sulphur Butterfly – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 1:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Clouded Sulphur butterfly Scientific Name: Colias philodice Comments: A common butterfly seen from late April to mid-October. This patch of blooming Joe Pye weed was alive with clouded sulphurs feeding on the nectar. Note the big green eyes. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Praying Mantis – 9/4/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/4/20 Observation Time: 12:50 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa Comments: Mantises are the only insects capable of turning their heads from side to side. Being able to turn its head without moving the rest of its body is a key advantage for a mantis when hunting, allowing for minimal movement […]

American Lady Butterfly – 8/18/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/18/20 Observation Time: 11:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (formerly the Kendall Estate) Common Name: American Lady butterfly Scientific Name: Vanessa virginiensis Comments: American Lady butterflies look a lot like Painted Lady butterflies. The American Lady has two large spots on the undersides of its trailing wings. The Painted Lady has four smaller spots instead. This Amerian Lady was feeding on a blossom of […]

Porcelain Gray Moth – 8/16/20

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/16/20 Observation Time: 9:50 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Porcelain Gray Moth Scientific Name: Protoboarmia porcelaria Comments: This is a type of geometer moth. This individual was resting on my window in the morning. Moths are typically nocturnal. One way to attract moths on a summer night is to hang a white sheet and put a light behind […]

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