All posts by David Albaugh

The Resilient Red Admiral: A Bold Migrant of the Northern Hemisphere

June 5, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Soaring with determined flight across continents, the red admiral, scientifically known as Vanessa atalanta, is one of the most widely recognized and globally distributed butterflies. With its striking black wings slashed by vivid orange-red bands, this bold and beautiful butterfly is a familiar sight in gardens, fields, and woodlands across the Northern Hemisphere, captivating observers with its distinctive patterns and impressive migratory journeys.

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Butterfly Field Guide, Butterfly Gardening, Papilionidae, Pipevine swallowtails, Raising butterflies, Swallowtail Butterflies

LARVAL FOODPLANTS OF SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLIES OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

June 3, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Welcome to part two of my caterpillar food plant series (the first of which was on Saturniidae moth food plants seen HERE). For this entry I am focusing on the five species of Swallowtail butterflies (family Papilionidae) from New England. This list does not include strays; only species that can be found in this area normally. The Papilionidae, numbering over 700 species worldwide, are among our largest and most spectacular of butterflies!

EASTERN BLACK SWALLOWTAIL – Papilio polyxenes asterius

Carrot (Daucus), dill (Anetheum), fennel (Foeniculum), parsley (Petroselinum), Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus), rue (Ruta).

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Saturniidae

The Majestic Regal Moth: A Kaleidoscope of Color in the Forest Canopy

June 1, 2025 David Albaugh Leave a comment

Emerging from the depths of eastern North American forests is one of the continent’s most spectacularly adorned insects – the regal moth, scientifically known as Citheronia regalis. With its impressive size, robust body, and a vibrant tapestry of orange, yellow, and black, this magnificent giant silk moth is a true monarch of the night. Its equally striking larva, the “hickory horned devil,” adds to its mystique, making it a fascinating subject from egg to adult.

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Buggy Book Reviews

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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