Tag Archives: Lepidoptera

The Great Imposter: Unmasking the Viceroy Butterfly

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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The Enigmatic Question Mark: Unraveling the Secrets of Polygonia interrogationis

Dancing through sun-dappled woodlands and urban gardens across eastern North America flits a butterfly of curious markings and intriguing habits – the question mark, scientifically known as Polygonia interrogationis. Its scalloped wing edges and the distinctive silver mark on its hindwing, resembling its namesake punctuation, make it a readily identifiable and endlessly fascinating member of the brush-footed butterfly family.  

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The Rosy Maple Moth: A Vision in Pink and Yellow

Gracing the deciduous forests of eastern North America with its whimsical charm is the rosy maple moth, scientifically known as Dryocampa rubicunda. This small to medium-sized silk moth is instantly recognizable for its delightful coloration, a vibrant blend of rosy pink and sunny yellow that seems almost too charming to be real. Its fuzzy body and delicate wings make it a captivating and beloved member of the moth world.  

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Hyalophora cecropia: A Giant Among Silk Moths

The Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia) stands as one of the largest moths found in North America, easily recognized by its impressive size, striking coloration, and intricate wing patterns. Belonging to the Saturniidae family, the giant silk moths, it has captivated naturalists and enthusiasts for centuries with its beauty and life cycle.  

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2024 Moth Studies in Richmond, Rhode Island (June 3, 2024)

It has been a slow start to the season as of this writing. It seemed that hatching moths have been delayed quite a bit than in past years. For example, in 2023 I had wild luna moths coming to my lights in mid-May. This year, the first one appeared late on June 2. This is also with the addition of my overwintering cocoons and scenting females.

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BOOK REVIEW: “Butterflies of North America” by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards

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There are new books on butterflies coming out all the time and I usually find out about them accidentally, usually by them showing up as a recommendation on Amazon based on my search history. When the book “Butterflies of North America” came up I was really unsure how it was going to be. The feedback on Amazon was decent but as many people know, you cannot always rely on these reviews. Thankfully the reviews ended up being based in fact!

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