Exploring the Dark Side

Warm nights and lights bring forth some of nature's most beautiful creatures. On the dark side of each 24-hour period,  hundreds of species of moths flutter and flap, release or respond to powerful pheromones, and contribute to the important ecological functions of our natural world. While the moths go about the business of mate-seeking and reproduction, observers can enjoy their striking shapes, patterns, and colors. Moths are attracted to various light sources in our yards and gardens, so interested observers may study and photograph them at home. Another way to enjoy moths is to attend the
​annual Moth Ball hosted by Dave and Shelley Small of Athol Bird & Nature Club.
Here are some night time visitors to our region in 2025.

Exploring and photographing the moths and other insects resting on the illuminated sheets strung up at Moth Ball in Athol. Photo by Dave Small, July 2023.

Luna moth (Actias luna) is a large, beautiful moth easily recognized by naturalists. Like other members of the silkworm family, the caterpillars line their cocoons, made of leaves on the ground, with silk. In our area the pupae are in diapause over winter and emerge after receiving external signals in the form of temperature change. The adults have only vestigial mouthparts and no digestive system and therefore do not eat in their adult form. Instead, they rely on energy stored during their caterpillar stage for 7to 10 days, during which they mate and lay eggs. Photo by Brian Klassanos, Ware.

Angulose prominent ( Peridea angulosa) put in an appearance at the Moth Ball on July 19th. The larvae feed only on species of oak. Photo by Alan Rawle.

The clover hayworm (Hypsopygia costalis) is so named because its larvae used to be a common pest of stored hay. The caterpillars would infest hay stacks, cover the hay with white silk, and consume the clover hay leaves, causing considerable damage and loss. Damage was most severe when hay stacks were subjected to excess moisture. Haystacks have become a thing of the past, but the clover hayworm is still a common insect. The caterpillars apparently can feed on a wide variety of dried plant materials. Hardwick, July 19th

Pink Star Moth ( Derrima stellata) is uncommon in Massachusetts. For many years, according to David L. Wagner, "the Holy Grail for moth life histories in the East Coast was the pink star moth." In 2024, however, Caterpillar Lab intern Logan Dieck discovered a small caterpillar apparently feeding on seeds of a dead pinweed plant in southern NH. By collecting more caterpillars and overwintering their pupae, caterpillar expert Sam Jaffe confirmed that these were larvae of the pink star moth. Brian Klassanos photographed this adult in Ware.

The blinded sphinx moth (Paonias excaecata) is widely distributed throughout the U.S. and the lower Canadian provinces. Measuring 32-35 mm (1.25 - 1.38 inches), this individual dwarfed the other moths present at Moth Ball on July 19, 2026. Photo by Alan Rawle.

The Eastern skiff moth (Prolimacodes badia) sports field marks that make it easy to identify. This individual was photographed by many participants at the Moth Ball on July 19th. The larvae (below), like others in the slug moth family, are unusual-looking caterpillars, humped and with two ridges running fore and aft ending in a short but pronounced 'tail.' The head is retracted into the thorax, and the legs are not visible so that the caterpillar vaguely resembles a small, overturned boat (skiff).

This common fungus moth (Metalectra discalis) came to lights in Hardwick on the night of July 25th. Caterpillars of this species feed on dry fungi, such as polypores, also known as shelf or bracket fungi that grow on dead or dying trees.

A close-up photograph reveals the details of the darker moodna's (Moodna ostrinella) features. Its actual size is 8 mm (.314 inches) One of the features of the Phycitinae subfamily of the Pyralid moths is the presence of short, upturned labial palps, the lower lips of the mouthparts. The palps are sensory appendages that detect odors, including carbon dioxide and plant volatiles, and assist in feeding behaviors. Hardwick, August 18th

The Hebrew (Polygrammate hebraeicum) is a monotypic moth genus of the family Noctuidae. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies. Its larvae feed on black gum, or tupelo ( Nyssa sylvatica), so moth seekers should not expect to attract this moth unless its host tree occurs nearby. Found at Moth Ball, July 19th.

Another viewing opportunity at one of the many light stations set up around the property. Guests meander through woods, backyard native plant habitat, and alongside outdoor walls, all with light designed to attract nocturnal moths and other night-flying insects. Spiders and assorted other invertebrates provide added interest. Photo by Dave Small, July 2023.

Subgothic dart (Feltia subgothica) is a widespread, common moth species. Larvae are able to feed on over 40 plant species including crops, forages, vegetables and forbs. Hardwick, August 17, 2025

The striking caterpillar of waved sphinx (Ceratomia undulosa) is similar to others in the family--large and green with red and white markings on the side. The not-so-colorful adults feed on nectar taken from tubular flowers, employing their well-developed and often very long proboscis. Hardwick, August 25th

This large lace border (Scopula limboundata) was at lights in Hardwick on July 20th. The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, including apple, blueberry, clover, dandelion, meadow-beauty, and black cherry.

Eyed paectes ( Paectes oculatrix) is one of many moth species featuring what appear to be large eyespots on its wings to fool potential predators. The eyespots on the paectes change expression depending on how wide the wings are spread. Watch for this moth at lights if there is poison ivy, its larval foodplant, growing nearby. Hardwick, August 16th

The stunning io moth (Automeris io) is sexually dimorphic. Both male (below) and female (above) sport large hindwing eyespots that are utilized in predatory defense when the moth is touched, by shaking and exposing the eyespots. Like many other species in this moth family, the females die following egg laying. The adults have vestigial mouthparts and do not eat while in this reproductive stage of life. Photographed in Ware by Brian Klassanos.

The grateful midget ( Elaphria grata) is attracted to lights and can show up anytime April - October. Caterpillars feed on violets, clover, oak, and dead leaves. This one showed up in Hardwick on August 16th.

Darker diacme ( Diacme adipaloides) is a moth species commonly encountered in the northeast, but the larval host plant is unknown. This one was at the Moth Ball in Athol on July 19th.

Variable antepione ( Antepione thisoaria) is a species with two flight periods, one in spring, the other mainly July through August. Identification challenges arise because the spring brood of both sexes has mottled light brown wings. The summer brood male, shown above, is bright yellow with reddish-brown shading, while the female is all yellow. Hardwick, July 29th photo by Wendy Howes.

Giant leopard moths (Hypercompe scribonia) are known to be attracted to bitter, unripe vegetables and broccoli flowers. The caterpillar grows up to 3" and has a thick coat of black bristles (setae) and bright red or orange bands between its segments, which become conspicuous when the caterpillar rolls into a ball for defense. Photo by Brian Klassanos in Ware.

This greater grapevine looper (Eulithis gracilineata), which can be confused with lesser grapevine looper, was observed in Hardwick July 25th. The caterpillars feed on two vining plant species -- Virginia creeper and grape.

Zigzag herpetogramma (Herpetogramma thestealis) is widespread and common in Massachusetts. The larvae are leaf tiers or leaf folders. Depending on the host plant, they may either fold a single leaf over to form a feeding shelter, or individually bundle together two or more leaves to form a shelter. The larva feeds in or near the shelter. Known food plants include linden and hazelnut. Moth Ball, Athol, July 19th.

Large mossy glyph, or lithacodia (Protodeltote muscosula), when newly-emerged, or "fresh," has markings that appear greenish, or mossy. It's common throughout much of North America. Caterpillars feed on saw grass - which is actually a sedge - in southern states and/or other species of swamp grass. Hardwick, July 20th

Attractive whether its wings are closed or open is the clymene moth (Haploa clymene), a member of the tiger moth family that flies in mid-summer. This one was in Hardwick on August 16th.

Elegant grass veneer (Microcrambus elegans) is a tiny moth measuring 8 -10 mm ( .31 - .39 inch) at rest. Their pattern when viewed this way has been described as having a "Halloween-mask" appearance. The larvae feed on grasses in the family Poaceae, the "true grasses." Hardwick , July 20th

This Canadian melanolothia (Melanolophia canadaria) came to lights in Hardwick on July 20th. The larvae feed on the leaves of many tree and shrub species and overwinter in that stage.

One of the common host plants of the promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea) caterpillar is spicebush (Lindera benzoin). It then emerges and mates during a specific time of day. The females utilize pheromones to attract males for mating, with both sexes mating multiple times. They are the only moth in their family where the sexes are not active at the same time of day, with males being diurnal and females being nocturnal. They only overlap in activity for a few hours in the early evening. This lovely female has a completely different appearance from the male, which somewhat resembles the toxic-to-predators pipevine swallowtail. Photo taken in Ware by Brian Klassanos.

Recognized by its pink markings, the pink-barred lithacodia moth (Pseudeustrotia carneola), this moth is common. Its larvae feed on a wide range of perennial herbs, including goldenrod, and a variety of Polygonum species. This one was attracted to lights in Hardwick on July 26th.