 Great Oak Dagger (Acronicta lobeliae) is one of hundreds of species that can be attracted with lights here in central Massachusetts. |  Common in the northeast, the caterpillars of Lemon Plagodis (Plagodis serinaria) feasted on the leaves of deciduous trees such as oak, cherry, and aspen before emerging as beautiful moths. |
Found resting in a field in daytime was this large Gallium Sphinx (Hyles gallii) at DCR's Kristoff Farm property in Sterling. Thanks to the sharp eyes of Dave Grant for spotting this stunning moth in a field overgrown with lots of sticky bedstraw (Galium sp.), the host plant for the species.
 Northern Pine Looper (Caripeta piniata) caterpillars feed on pine needles. The moths can appear at lights from late spring through mid-summer. |  There were good numbers of Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillars around last fall, so it's not surprising to see the adult moth here this spring. Winter is spent as a pupa in gray, hair-covered cocoons under litter in the soil. |