Sightings – Page 9 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Luna Moth Caterpillar – 7/27/23

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/27/23 Observation Time: 8:00 am Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Luna Moth Scientific Name: Actias luna Comments: I first identified this as a Polythemus moth caterpillar. My observation on iNaturalist was corrected and it was agreed that this is a Luna Moth caterpillar. WIth a wing span of up to four inches, bright green luna moths are one […]

Red-spotted Purple Admiral – 7/25/23

Observer: Marshall Katler Observation Date: 7/25/23 Observation Time: 12:30 p.m. Observation Location: Mansfield St. Common Name: Red-spotted Purple butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis arthemis Comments: This butterfly was on this ramp to a shed for several hours, just opening and closing its wings, occasionally taking a short flight. The red-spotted purple butterfly is the same species as the white admiral butterfly. It is a North American […]

Chukar – 7/24/23

Observer: Wayne Gelfman Observation Date: 7/24/23 Observation Time: around 6:00 a.m. Observation Location: near Sharon Community Center Common Name: Chukar Scientific Name: Alectoris chukar Comments: Chukars were introduced to the United States from Pakistan in 1893. Between 1931 and 1970, additional introductions in the western U.S. helped establish wild populations in 10 western states (California, Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming) and […]

Tomentose Burying Beetle – 7/22/23

Observer: Bruce Lewis Observation Date: 7/22/23 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill St. Common Name: Tomentose Burying Beetle Scientific Name: Nicrophorus tomentosus Comments: I observed this beetle consuming a dead animal on Moose Hill St. The beetle belongs to the family Silphidae, which are carrion beetles. The beetles have sensitive antennae that contain olfactory organs. Thus, the beetle can locate dead animals and […]

Unknown wasp species – 7/21/23

Observer: John Baur Observation Date: 7/21/23 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill (under power lines) Common Name: unknown wasp species Scientific Name: Euodynerus undescribed species F Comments: This small wasp has been identified as a known species that has not been formally described. As such, it is currently known as “Euodynerus undescribed species F”. Once it has been formally described it will be […]

Crown-tipped Coral Fungus – 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: Crown-tipped Coral Fungus Scientific Name: Artomyces pyxidatus Comments: This is one of the few coral fungi found on decaying wood. The crown-like tips of the branches are unlike those of any of the other coral fungi. Seek (the free cell phone app) readily identified it. More Information: […]

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 […]

Black Bear – 6/24/23

Observer: Richard Mandel Observation Date: 6/24/23 Observation Time: at night Observation Location: Mountain Street Common Name: American Black Bear Scientific Name: Ursus Americanus Comments: This black bear destroyed two bird feeders at our house during the night of June 24, 2023, and devoured the contents of the feeders. In addition it left some droppings. American black bears have better eyesight and hearing than humans. Their keenest […]

Snapping Turtle – 6/23/23

Observer: Eldad Ganin Observation Date: 6/23/23 Observation Time: 4:59 p.m. Observation Location: Hammershop Pond Common Name: Snapping Turtle Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina Comments: Snapping turtles are found in all sorts of water bodies, from rivers to lakes to marshes. They eat many different plants and animals, but become more vegetarian as they age. Snapping turtles can be aggressive and deliver a painful bite if threatened. Give […]

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. […]

Pine Warbler – 6/22/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/23 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Pine Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga pinus Comments: Pine warblers are typically found in pine groves. Many warbler species migrate through Sharon in May on their way to nesting areas farther north, but pine warblers nest here in Sharon, and can be found in the woods all summer. Although they typically […]

Red Squirrel – 6/22/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/22/23 Observation Time: 11:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary Common Name: Red Squirrel Scientific Name: Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Comments: Red squirrels can be easily distinguished from other North American tree squirrels by their smaller size, territorial behavior, and reddish fur with a white underbelly. Red squirrels are somewhat larger than chipmunks and lack chipmunks’ distinctive stripes. Red squirrels are […]

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 […]

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) – 6/11/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 6/11/23 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (female) Scientific Name: Archilochus colubris Comments: Our hummingbird feeder, located right outside our kitchen window, provides close-up views of these fascinating creatures from late April through mid-September. All we have to do is clean the feeder and change the sugar water (1/4 cup of sugar per […]

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

Green Frog – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 12:20 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Green Frog Scientific Name: Lithobates clamitans Comments: This is one of our most familiar frogs, and is found statewide. It has some green on its face and a mostly brown body, with a ridge running down each side of its back. This species prefers permanent or semipermanent water […]

Prairie Warbler – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:50 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) – under the power lines Common Name: Prairie Warbler Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Prairie warblers are found in scrubby fields and forest edges throughout the eastern and south-central United States. Unlike many other warblers that migrate through Sharon in spring and fall, the prairie warbler nests in Sharon and […]

Golden Ragwort – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (under high tension wires) Common Name: Golden Ragwort Scientific Name: Senecio aureus (also known as Packera aurea) Comments: Golden Ragwort is a biannual plant with yellow-orange flowers. It grows to a height of 2 feet and belongs to Asteraceae family (i.e. asters). More Information: Grow Native

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 […]

Indigo Bunting – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 10:00 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea Comments: Indigo Buntings are actually black; the diffraction of light through their feathers makes them look blue. This explains why males can appear as various hues from turquoise to black. Indigo buntings are more common now than when the pilgrims first […]

Smooth Brome grass – 5/28/23

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/28/23 Observation Time: 9:40 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm (TTOR) Common Name: Smooth Brome grass Scientific Name: Bromus inermis Comments: Smooth brome is a Eurasian species of grass introduced to North America, where it has been used extensively for habitat rehabilitation and as a forage plant. More Information: Go Botany

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