Insects & Spiders – Page 9 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Saw-Wing Moth – 7/9/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/11 Observation Time: 4:50 p.m. Observation Location: field near Gavins Pond Common Name: Saw-wing Moth Scientific Name: Euchlaena serrata Comments: This specimen alit on my note pad and posed for the photo. Then it flew off. Yet another example of how you don’t find nature. Nature finds you! So keep that camera or smart phone handy! More Information: BugGuide

Roland’s Sallow Moth (caterpillar) – 6/4/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/4/11 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Conservation land near Billings Street Common Name: Roland’s Sallow Moth (caterpillar) Scientific Name: Psaphida rolandi More Information: Bug Guide

Red-Banded Sand Wasp – 9/9/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/9/13 Observation Time: 2:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Red-banded Sand Wasp Scientific Name: Ammophila sabulosa Comments: The female red-banded sand wasp first excavates a nest for her larva. After that she hunts a caterpillar, often a moth caterpillar. She then paralyses the caterpillar, but the caterpillar remains alive. Then she carries the caterpillar to the nest. She […]

Question Mark butterfly chrysalis – 7/31/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/31/12 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road (bridge near soccer fields) Common Name: Question Mark butterfly chrysalis Scientific Name: Polygonia interrogationis Comments: This is the chrysalis of a Question Mark butterfly. They have a white mark on each wing that looks like a question mark. See photos of an adult Question Mark Butterfly. The root “interrogation” is apparent in the scientific […]

Question Mark butterfly – 6/29/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/29/11 Observation Time: 11:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Question Mark butterfly Scientific Name: Polygonia interrogationis Comments: There’s a similar Eastern Comma butterfly that is also found in Sharon. More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Polyphemus Moth (wing only) – 7/20/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/20/10 Observation Time: 7:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road soccer field parking lot Common Name: Polyphemus Moth (wing only) Scientific Name: Antheraea polyphemus Comments: A few years ago, I saw a dead luna moth in the same area. Both polyphemus moths and luna moths are truly spectacular. More Information: Auburn University

Peck’s Skipper butterfly – 7/25/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/25/10 Observation Time: 10:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Peck’s Skipper butterfly Scientific Name: Polites peckius Comments: Flies from June through early August on flowers, at roadsides, wet meadows, and in gardens. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polites_peckius More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

Orchard Orbweaver – 6/1/14

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/1/14 Observation Time: 12:25 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Orchard Orbweaver Scientific Name: Leucauge venusta Comments: I had a hard time focusing the camera on this tiny spider. More Information: Wikipedia

Orange Bluet damselfly – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 2:30 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Orange bluet damselfly Scientific Name: Enallagma signatum Comments: The orange bluet has a long flight season. It’s from early March to early November. This bluet is unusual in that it is most active in the late afternoon. It is often found near slow moving streams, ponds, and pools with still waters. […]

Orange Bluet damselfly – 7/1/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/1/11 Observation Time: 3:45 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Orange bluet damselfly Scientific Name: Enallagma signatum Comments: These small orange damselflies were darting about all over the surface of the pond, occasionally alighting on floating weeds. Some were mating. The first two photos are males and the third female. More Information: Wikipedia or Fotki

Northern Paper Wasp – 9/22/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer parking lot Common Name: Northern Paper Wasp Scientific Name: Polistes fuscatus Comments: This individual appeared to be gleaning wood fibers for use in constructing or repairing a nest. More Information: Wikipedia

Northern Eyed Brown butterfly – 8/26/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/26/10 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook near tennis courts Common Name: Northern Eyed Brown butterfly Scientific Name: Satyrodes eurydice Comments: This individual was perched on the handrail of the wooden footbridge constructed by SFOC over Beaver Brook. More Information: Mass Audubon

Mourning Cloak Butterfly – 7/2/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/2/13 Observation Time: 7:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Mourning Cloak Butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: Unlike most butterfly species, mourning cloaks overwinter as adults, so they are typically the first butterflies seen in spring. This tattered individual was on its last legs, but still displayed striking coloration. More Information: Wikipedia

Mourning Cloak butterfly – 7/9/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/11 Observation Time: 2:50 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Mourning Cloak butterfly Scientific Name: Nymphalis antiopa Comments: Unlike most butterflies, mourning cloaks overwinter as adults, so they are often the first butterfly seen in spring. More Information: Wikipedia

Mottled Prominent Moth (Caterpillar) – 9/22/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: King Phillip’s Rock Common Name: Mottled Prominent Moth (caterpillar) Scientific Name: Macrurocampa marthesia Comments: For a photo of the adult Mottled Prominent moth, see: http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/177197-Macrurocampa-marthesia More Information: BugGuide

Mayfly – 4/23/09

Observer: Alex Hackman Observation Date: 4/23/09 Observation Time: 9:45 a.m. Observation Location: Beaver Brook Common Name: Mayfly Scientific Name: Ephemeroptera Comments: Adult mayfly hatch observed during a paddle up Beaver Brook. This insect is an indicator of good water quality. More Information: Texas A&M

Little Wood Satyr Butterfly – 5/31/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/31/11 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: in the woods near Gavins Pond Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: A common woodland butterfly in Massachusetts. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Little Wood Satyr Butterfly – 6/20/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/20/10 Observation Time: 9:10 a.m. Observation Location: near Gavins Pond Common Name: Little Wood Satyr butterfly Scientific Name: Megisto cymela Comments: A common woodland butterfly in Massachusetts. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club

Lilypad Forktail Damselfly – 7/2/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/2/11 Observation Time: 5:15 p.m. Observation Location: Borderland State Park Common Name: Lilypad forktail damselfly Scientific Name: Ischnura kellicotti Comments: A southern species that appears to have increased in Massachusetts lately. This specimen is the red form of the female. There is also a blue form. Males are bright blue. More Information: Odonata Central

Leaf-Footed Bug – 4/28/12

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/28/12 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Leaf-footed bug Scientific Name: Acanthocephala terminalis Comments: The leaf-shaped hind legs give this bug its name. More Information: See: http://www.cirrusimage.com/bugs_leaf_footed_Acanthocephala.htm

Large Yellow Underwing Moth – 6/22/10

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/10 Observation Time: 6:05 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Large Yellow Underwing moth Scientific Name: Noctua pronuba Comments: The name “Noctua” presumably comes from the same root as “nocturnal” meaning active at night. More Information: Wikipedia

Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (male) – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 2:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Gomphus exilis Comments: Once you’ve learned all the birds, you can take up the challenge of learning the dragonflies. Start by getting a book like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Dragonflies-Damselflies-Princeton-Field-Guides/dp/0691122830 More Information: Wikipedia

Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (male) – 5/24/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/24/11 Observation Time: 4:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Gomphus exilis Comments: Male lancet clubtails have claspers at the end of the abdomen, which females lack. Lancet clubtails are common in Massachusetts near slow streams and ponds. The name lancet comes from the dagger-shaped marking on the abdomen. The clubtail moniker comes from the […]

Lady Beetle larva – 6/5/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/5/13 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Lady Beetle larva Scientific Name: Harmonia axyridis Comments: Lady beetle larvae don’t look much like the adults. Lady beetles eat aphids, so they can be beneficial for agriculture. More Information: University of Minnesota

Lady Beetle – 6/19/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/19/13 Observation Time: 2:20 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Lady Beetle Scientific Name: Harmonia axyridis Comments: Multicolored Asian lady beetles come in different color patterns. Some, like this one, don’t have black spots. More Information: Wikipedia

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