Sightings – Butterflies & Moths
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
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/2/20
Observation Time: 1:30 p.m.
Observation Location: Near tennis courts at outbound train station
Common Name: Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth
Scientific Name: Antaeotricha schlaegeri
Comments: The Schlaeger’s fruitworm moth is found in north-eastern North America, south to North Carolina and west to Kansas and Texas.
Adults resemble a bird-dropping. The wingspan is 21–30 mm.
The larvae feed on white oak and related species.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/13/13
Observation Time: 10:55 a.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond area
Common Name: Silver-Spotted Skipper butterfly
Scientific Name: Epargyreus clarus
Comments: Adults perch upside down under leaves at night and on hot or cloudy days.
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 6/25/11
Observation Time: 3:00 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond near soccer fields
Common Name: Small Cabbage White butterfly
Scientific Name: Pieris rapae
Comments: The top photo shows a copulating pair. The male has a single black wing spot. The female has two black wing spots, and slightly yellower wings.
More Information: Wikipedia
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 9/7/13
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam
Common Name: Smeared Dagger Moth caterpillar
Scientific Name: Acronicta oblinita
Comments: For pictures of the adult moth, see: http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Acronicta+oblinita&guide=Moth&cl=US/GA/Clarke
More Information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/29/15
Observation Time: 3:20 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis
Comments: Feeding on butterfly bush.
More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 7/9/13
Observation Time: 4:35 p.m.
Observation Location: soccer parking area near Gavins Pond
Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis
Comments: This diurnal moth is about the size of a bumblebee.
More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Paul Lauenstein
Observation Date: 8/11/23
Observation Time: 4:20 p.m.
Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road
Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth
Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis
Comments: This one was feeding on butterfly bush in my back yard (a ruby-throated hummingbird was feeding there at the same time).
Large, sometimes feathery antennae are more typical of moths than butterflies.
More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America
Observer: Sherry Berlingo
Observation Dates:
Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar – Found on playground in Sharon 09/20/16
Spicebush Swallowtail Chrysalis – Formed chrysalis on 09/22/16
Overwintered in outdoor shed
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly – Emerged on 06/01/17, released on 06/02/17
Observation Location: The Childrens Center, Sharon Public School
Common Name: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly
Scientific Name: Papilio troilus
Comments: This large black butterfly is more common in Sharon than the similar black swallowtail. Learn how to tell them apart at: http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/frames-2species.asp?sp1=Papilio-polyxenes&sp2=Papilio-troilus
More Information: Wikipedia
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 of large orange spots on each of its rear wings (see photos). The black swallowtail just has another orange spot where the spicebush has the comet marking.
More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Club
