Actual ranges may, in many cases, be more expansive than noted. There are some species indicated that may now be extirpated.
Clicking on a scientific name will take you to a file with pictures and/or information.
Dave Kenny sent me the above image of an Actias luna male encountered May 16, 2004, in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, (Hampden County).
Dave Small of Athol, Worchester County, writes, "The heat wave has been amazing for Silk Moths at the patio light here in Athol. Last night (June 10, 2008) four species joined the long list of other moths I'm trying to identify: Luna, Polyphemus, Promethea and Cecropia. The only problem is they are late night arrivals, not really showing up until at least 10:30 best about 2:00 AM."
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Eric J. Olson writes,
"In 1994, I ran a light trap with permission of the Commonwealth,
in Myles Standish State Park (Plymouth County). The Natural Heritage
and Endangered Species Program wanted to see if Anisota stigma
was still around. It was, and in good numbers. In fact, at a recent
conference I heard some biologists saying they don’t think that moth
should ever have been state-listed (it’s on some sort of list of
“species of special concern”, the least serious of the conservation
categories in MA). They say its populations are solid, not to worry.
It's a reliable resident of Plymouth County.
"We also pulled in Automeris io to the same trap. That moth I
have collected in similar habitat (pitch pine oak on sand) out on
Cape Cod (Barnstable County, Wellfleet area, Cape Cod National
Seashore, also ~ 1993-1994).
"Just his winter I collected cocoons of Hyalophora cecropia
and Callosamia promethea in the vicinity of West Bridgewater,
Plymouth County.
"I have pulled in males of Callosamia promethea to calling
females in the Blue Hills just south of Boston (that I am quite sure
is Middlesex County – there’s good stands of sassafras in the Blue
Hills Reserve), and out in the National Seashore, both ~ 1993-1994.
"Along the Charles River in Cambridge (Middlesex County), within
sight of the Boston skyline, my kids and I collected a cecropia
cocoon in 2000. I watch for them very carefully in town here,
though, and they are extremely rare. In fact I don’t think I have
ever found another one, that was the closest to Boston for a
saturniid to date.
"West of Boston, in Sherborn (Middlesex County), I found recent
cocoons of cecropia and promethea, including a viable
promethea cocoon on buttonbush on the banks of the Charles
River (Medfield State Forest land) in January of 2002. Oh, and a
viable cocoon of cecropia in the Wellesley College arboretum,
Rt 16 in town of Wellesley, in April of 2002."
Don reports cecropia pairings June 6-7; June 9-10, 2006, caged females with
wild males, Bridgewater, Plymouth County. A female promethea called
in four wild males a week earlier.
"Citheronia regalis is considered extirpated in Massachusetts. No
recent records for most of northern New England.
"The only records for Eacles imperialis are now on Martha's
Vineyard. This species is considered extirpated from the mainland.
One male was caught on mainland by Mark Mello with a
blacklight, but this was in view of the Vineyard and we suspect it
flew from Martha's Vineyard. I belive the Martha's Vineyard population
feeds on pitch pine. This colony
is State listed by the State of Massachusetts. The state is
considering trying to establish another colony somewhere on the
coast. This is the last known population in northern New England.
"I have records for Automeris io from Martha's Vineyard. I
haven't done much with these guys yet.
"Most of my records for Hemileuca maia are from Barnstable
County in the National Seashore and on
Otis Air Base, also have many recent records from Plymouth County,
and there is still a small disjunct population in Montague in
Franklin County. This species is State listed in MA.
"I have never really looked for Hemileuca lucina. Nancy Stamp
has a published record for Franklin County.
"Callosamia promethea: I know of wild populations in
Franklin, Hampshire, Plymouth and Barnstable
Counties. It is likely throughout the state.
"Hyalophora cecropia:
I have found recent cocoons in Berkshire County, Franklin County,
Hampshire County, Plymouth County and Barnstable County. It is
likely throughout the state but rarer in the
western parts than on the Coast.
"Actias luna: There are good populations in the western parts
of the state: Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampshire County
and Worchester County. I haven't really looked much in the east.
It appears to be more common in the first brood, I almost think it is
becoming single brooded here now.
"Antheraea polyphemus: There aree still population in
Barnstable County; I have a few records from Hampshire Co unty
(not including known releases). I know breeders in Middlesex and
Plymouth that get wild males but they also release a ton of critters.
Likely widespread in MA but becoming hard to find. I have been
seeing very high mortality in the western parts of MA from
Compsilura.
Not sure how it survives this. Last year I had 100% Compsilura
mortality on one instar (fourths) set out for seven days. I
also saw Compsilura on polyphemus in Barnstable County
at pretty high levels. I put
these guys out and brought them back in, but there is still a wild
population on the Cape and on Martha's Vineyard."
Betty (May 29, 2003) confirms flight of Hyalophora cecropia in Gloucester (Essex County).
Karl Piela writes,
"Hi Bill,
"Indeed this (2004) has been a very good season for the cecropia
(surprisingly)! I always get several to come to females or
lights. It still is not nowhere near as spectacular as in the
late 70's when I would find 30 - 40 cocoons within 1 mile of
my house. I was a school-boy in the 7th/8th grade's).
I live in Chicopee (Hampden County) which is virtually all urban sprawl now.
There are pockets of forested land, especially near the
Chicopee and Connecticutt Rivers but virtually no open
field habitat is left within a mile of here
(obviously the pheremone does have a wider range).
I think parasites and development are most likely the
primary cause's of there decline. Polyphemus is here
but not as common as cecropia. Promethea can be quite common in
Hampden Co, but not so much in the Chicopee (proper)
area. West of here there are large tracks of forested land,
especially in the Mt. Tom area. Luna tend to be common here
especially with the Oak/Hickory Forest prevalence. No A. io
although I know of larvae being found 15 years ago in Springfield,
MA on Prunus (Wild Cherry). No Cynthia's nor Eacles or
Citheronia. I hope this has been of help."
Non-member Duane sent me an image of an Antheraea polyphemus male, June 9, 2005, from Springfield, Massachusetts (Hampden County).
Non-member Matthew Arey writes (May 2006),
"Yes, I do encounter Actias luna, Antheraea polyphemus and
Automeris io in Essex County. A. polyphemus is quite
common but A. io are encountered only sporadically and the
moth seems to be becoming scarce in much of eastern and central
Massachusetts. Last June I was lucky to obtain a female with with
eggs. Out of about fifty or so larvae, only 18 survived to pupation.
In the last week or so I have had a few adults emerge (all males so
far.) Other Saturnidae in Essex Co. include Hyalophora cecropia,
Callosamia promethea, Hemileuca maia, Hemileuca lucina and
Samia cynthia (rare). Occasionally a Regal Moth
(Citheronia regalis - Citheroniinae) will turn up now and then
in spite of records that suggest that this species is now considered
regionally extirpated from much of southern New England. The larval
host, Hickory, is a common tree in northeastern Massachusetts."
Don Adams writes (July 29, 2010), "For the first year in many here in W. Bridgewater, yesterday, three female promethea and
one female poly, raised from spring 2010 eclosed parents, popped out of their cocoons, and last PM or very early this AM
the poly called two beautiful wild males and is paired with one of these. The female will lay eggs this PM, and cats are
easy to raise on Red or Black Oak."
Dryocampa rubicunda, Westfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts,
July 27, 2011, courtesy of Rebecca Alves
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