All posts by David Albaugh

An Amazing Guide to North America’s Wild Silk Moths: A Detailed Review

May 30, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

The Wild Silk Moths of North America: A Natural History of the Saturniidae of the United States and Canada by Paul M. Tuskes, James P. Tuttle, and Michael M. Collins, published by Cornell University Press, is a seminal work that delves into the captivating world of the Saturniidae family, commonly known as wild silk moths. This comprehensive book has become an indispensable resource for entomologists, researchers, students, and amateur collectors alike.

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Saturniidae

The Cryptic Buck Moth: A Striking Beauty with a Stinging Defense

May 28, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Darting through open woodlands, barrens, and sandy plains of eastern North America in the fall is the buck moth, scientifically known as Hemileuca maia. This striking day-flying moth, adorned with bold black and white patterns and vibrant red or orange markings, possesses a defense mechanism that demands respect: urticating (stinging) spines on its larvae. Its unique life cycle and aposematic coloration make it a fascinating subject of the autumnal landscape.

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Saturniidae, Species Spotlight

The Imperial Moth: A Majestic Presence of the Eastern Forests

May 26, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Drifting through the warm summer nights of eastern North America, the imperial moth, scientifically known as Eacles imperialis, commands attention with its impressive size and regal coloration. This magnificent member of the Saturniidae family, one of our largest silk moths, showcases a stunning tapestry of yellow ochre adorned with patterns of pink, red, and sometimes purple, truly living up to its majestic name.

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Buggy Book Reviews

Bugging Out Over the Kaufman Insect Guide

May 24, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

The Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America is a truly excellent resource for anyone interested in learning about the incredible diversity of insects. Despite the sheer number of insect species in North America, this guide manages to cover a remarkable range, including all the major groups and many of the species you’re most likely to encounter. It doesn’t just focus on the “charismatic” insects like butterflies and beetles, but also gives attention to the less conspicuous yet equally fascinating groups such as flies, wasps, and true bugs.

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Saturniidae

The Enchanting Polyphemus Moth: A Giant Silkmoth with Windowed Wings

May 22, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Floating through the twilight of deciduous woodlands across North America is the breathtaking Polyphemus moth, scientifically known as Antheraea polyphemus. This magnificent giant silkmoth, named after the cyclops Polyphemus from Greek mythology due to the striking eyespot on each of its hindwings, captivates observers with its large size, delicate coloration, and the ethereal transparency of its wing windows.

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Saturniidae

The Majestic Ailanthus Silkmoth: A Global Traveler with a Taste for the Urban Jungle

May 20, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Distinguished by its impressive size, striking wing patterns, and remarkable adaptability, the Ailanthus silkmoth, scientifically known as Philosamia cynthia, is a truly captivating member of the Saturniidae family. Originally native to Asia, this magnificent moth has successfully established itself in urban and suburban environments across the globe, its life cycle intricately linked to the often-overlooked Ailanthus tree, also known as the “tree of heaven.”

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Lepidoptera Life Cycles, Species Spotlight

The Great Imposter: Unmasking the Viceroy Butterfly

May 18, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Fluttering through open woodlands, fields, and along roadsides across much of North America is the viceroy butterfly, scientifically known as Limenitis archippus. While often mistaken for its toxic look-alike, the monarch, the viceroy possesses its own fascinating characteristics, including a remarkable evolutionary adaptation for survival: Batesian mimicry. This striking butterfly offers a compelling example of nature’s ingenuity in the face of predation.

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Buggy Book Reviews, Butterfly Field Guide

Beyond the Net: A Butterfly Guide

May 16, 2025 David Albaugh 1 Comment

Jeffrey Glassberg’s “Butterflies through Binoculars: The East” is a highly acclaimed field guide that has become a staple for butterfly enthusiasts in eastern North America. Published in 1999, this book revolutionized butterfly identification, emphasizing the use of binoculars for observation and extensively using photographs of living butterflies. Here’s a detailed review:

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Tarantulas

“The Tarantula Keeper’s Log Book”: The Perfect Gift for the Tarantula Enthusiast in Your Life!

May 16, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Do you have that one friend that likes tarantulas and you just don’t know what to get them for their birthday of Christmas? How about my “The Tarantula Keeper’s Log Book?” A brand-new book designed by a tarantula keeper for tarantula keepers! Featuring 200 pages, this book covers 87 species of the most-commonly kept types of tarantulas with plenty of room to keep track of your feeding regimen, molting records, rehousing dates and even breeding records. The book is spiral bound so keeping it open flat is a breeze as you work with your eight-legged kids. The book is in full color featuring a beautifully painted cover by artist Laura Airey Le. Each species also features a full color photo featuring images by top photographers such as Rick C. West and Danny de Bruyne. This is definitely a book that you will use again and again!

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Rearing moths, Saturniidae

BOOK REVIEW: “Moths And How To Rear Them” by Paul Villiard

May 14, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Original 1969 hardcover edition of this must-have book!

Few nature books remain relevant forever. As new research is conducted using modern technology, information that was taught just a few years ago can quickly become obsolete. This is particularly true for books on insects, as new discoveries are made almost daily.

When it comes to raising, or rearing, butterflies and moths, a fun hobby that all children should experience at least once in their lifetime, new and better techniques are being learned and taught and if you are hoping to be successful, these techniques should be kept up with.

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