Mothing at St. William's Conservation Reserve, Norfolk County

As spring gave way to summer I began to shift my attention away from the birds and towards something else. Warm, early summer nights are ideal for searching for a different group of organisms. Those being, of course, moths!

Last summer I acquiring a portable "mothing light", and I had a blast in July and August setting it up in various natural locations. Of course, in September Laura and I left on our adventure to South America and grew addicted to the insane moths and other insects that we encountered in Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Well, as you may have heard, a global pandemic has made international travel impossible and so we have been based in Ontario since March. I have been trying to make the most of a bad situation by getting out as often as possible to some local areas to search for moths. I find it an extremely rewarding activity since there is so much to learn and the species diversity is just so high!

Beautiful Wood-Nymph (Eudryas grata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Last week I began scheming with Baz Conlin to do some mothing down towards Long Point, an area he was super keen to explore for the first time. Baz is an avid "moth-er" as well and we were both intrigued with the possibility of unique moths that live in that part of Ontario. 

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth (Harrisina americana) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

And so it was, that on Friday Baz bused to Cambridge and we drove down to the Walsingham area. The weather forecast was a bit touch-and-go with heavy thunderstorms sweeping across southwestern Ontario. As afternoon gave way to evening, we stopped in at the Timpf farm to hang out with Adam, his miniature horse Daisy, and his small herd of goats, turkeys and chickens. We listened to the thunder as a large system passed to the south of us. Soon dusk approached and so Baz and I made the short drive over to the Manester Tract, a part of the St. William's Conservation Reserve. 

The rain mostly skirted around us, other than some light showers that persisted for only half an hour just after dusk. We each set up our lights around 200 m from each other and waited for the party to begin!

Modest Sphinx (Pachysphinx modesta) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

We did not have to wait very long and interesting moths appeared at our sheets almost immediately. Below are some of the common species we noted throughout the night. 

Basswood Leafroller (Pantographa limata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Painted Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia fucosa) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Yellow-winged Oak Leafroller Moth (Argyrotaenia quercifoliana) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Red-fringed Emerald (Nemoria bistriaria) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Darker Diacme Moth (Diacme adipaloides) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Jack Pine Budworm Moth (Choristoneura pinus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

There are two species of Halysidota that can be found here that look nearly identical - the Banded Tussock Moth (H. tessellaris) and the Sycamore Tussock Moth (H. harrisii). Dissection is required to identify them.

Halysidota sp. - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

One of the evening's common species was actually a new one for me - Macalla zelleri. You would not know that this was such a scarce species in Ontario if you saw how many we had on our sheets!

Macalla zelleri - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

One of our first "good" moths was this next one, called The Hebrew. Arguably one of the coolest looking Dagger Moths (Acronictinae), The Hebrew requires Black Gum trees to survive. The Long Point area is the only area I know of for this species in Ontario. We were pretty excited!

The Hebrew (Polygrammate hebraeicum) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

We ended up observing at lest six individuals, a very good count! As a side note, I love how bizarre some moth names are. Especially ones that being with "the". Other great moth names are The Gem, The Brother, The Drinker, and The Old Maid. 

The Hebrew (Polygrammate hebraeicum) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

The new moths kept coming, one after another. I could hardly keep up! Each of these next species was new for me. 

American Dun-Bar Moth (Cosmia calami) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Cherry Scallop Shell Moth (Rheumaptera prunivorata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Kermes Scale Moth (Euclemensia bassettella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Snowy-shouldered Acleris (Acleris nivisellana) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Feeble Grass Moth (Amolita fessa) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Pink-washed Aristotelia Moth (Aristotelia roseosuffusella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Silver-spotted Fern Moth (Callopistria cordata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Deadwood Borer Moth (Scolecocampa liburna) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Friendly Probole Moth (Probole amicaria) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

I cannot seem to figure this one out. It looks superficially similar to an American Dun-bar Moth. 

Unknown - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

I have a soft spot for Slug Caterpillar Moths (Limacodidae). We had six species tonight, one of which was new for me - the Jeweled Tailed Slug Moth.

Jeweled Tailed Slug Moth (Packardia geminata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Shagreened Slug Moth (Apoda biguttata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Spiny Oak-slug Moth (Euclea delphinii) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Yellow-shouldered Slug Moth (Lithacodes fasciola) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Skiff Moth (Prolimacodes badia) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

You could say that members of the family Notodontidae were quite prominent this evening. Indeed we noted at least 13 species of Prominents. 

White-blotched Heterocampa (Heterocampa umbrata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Black-rimmed Prominent (Pheosia rimosa) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth (Datana ministra) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Elegant Prominent (Pheosidea elegans) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Sigmoid Prominent (Clostera albosigma) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This next species is in the genus Symmerista. In Ontario we have three very similar species, but fortunately males can be identified relatively easily by examination of their 8th sternite. This one checked out as the White-headed Prominent (Symmerista albifrons).

White-headed Prominent (Symmerista albifrons) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

White-headed Prominent (Symmerista albifrons) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Walking the short distance between the two lights allowed us to scan the vegetation for other things of interest. 

Unidentified orthopteran (likely Greater Anglewing) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

American Green Crab Spider (Misumessus oblongus) (tentative) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Baz snagged this Common Antlion with his net! I do not believe that I have ever seen an adult up close like this before. 

Common Antlion (Myrmeleon immaculatus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Mottled Sand Grasshopper (Spharagemon collare) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

The main reason why we were so keen to go mothing at St. William's was because of the potential for unique Carolinian species. And in that regard, the night did not disappoint.

This next moth does not look like much, but it was indeed one of the rarest species of the night. Known as the Lupine Leafroller Moth (Anacampsis lupinella), it specializes on Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis). Sundial Lupine is a characteristic species of oak savannahs and as such there are only a few known populations of this moth in Ontario - one in High Park, another in Lambton Shores area, and this population at St. Williams. Readers may be more familiar with the Karner Blue (Plebejus samuelis) or Frosted Elfin (Callophrys irus), two species of butterflies that also use the Sundial Lupine as a foodplant. Unfortunately, both those butterflies have become extirpated from Ontario, an unfortunate repercussion from the obliteration of most oak savannah habitat in Ontario. 

Lupine Leafroller Moth (Anacampsis lupinella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Another strong contender for rarest moth of the night was this little leaf blotch miner known as Caloptilia vacciniella. I cannot find out much information about this rare species, nor can I find any previous records for Ontario. The large yellow spot on the back seems pretty distinctive. 

Caloptilia vacciniella - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Here are a few more of the rare ones from the evening...

Xanthophysa psychialis - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Orange-spotted Idia (Idia diminuendis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Thin-winged Owlet (Nigetia formosalis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Dark-headed Aspen Leafroller (Anacampsis innocuella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Caloptilia coroniella - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Toothed Fan-Foot (Zanclognatha dentata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Scarlet Underwing (Catocala coccinata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Speaking of underwing moths, now is the time of year that some species begin flying. We noted three species including the rare Scarlet Underwing pictured above. We also noted Girlfriend Underwing and Ultronia Underwing. 

Ultronia Underwing (Catocala ultronia) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

And now, a brief diversion from the moths to investigate another neat family of insects, the Long-horned Beetles (Cerambycidae). We found six species on the night, a very good showing!

Astyleiopus variegatus - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This one was missing one of its "horns"...

Banded Longhorn Beetle (Typocerus velutinus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Red Oak Borer (Enaphalodes rufulus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Back to the moths! It was a reasonably decent night for the big guys as we had about twelve sphinx moths of six species. We only observed two silkmoths - a Polyphemus Moth and a Rosy Maple Moth. 

Virginia Creeper Sphinx (Darapsa myron) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Small-eyed Sphinx (Paonias myops) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Azalea Sphinx (Darapsa choerilus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

It was obvious upon arriving at the Manester Tract that Gypsy Moths were flourishing here as well. Many trees were stripped of leaves, though luckily new growth was very apparent. 

Male Gypsy Moths spend much of the day and night flying around, searching for females. The flightless females meanwhile hang out on trees and emit pheromones to attract the males. She will mate, lay her eggs and soon die. What a life! This pair was caught in the act along the sandy road. The female, pictured on the right, is much different looking than the male. 

Gypsy Moths (Lymantria dispar) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

 

Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) laying eggs - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This next photo shows my sheet by the end of the night. As you can see, finding any other species of moth among the Gypsy Moths was like playing a version of Where's Waldo. 

Moth medley - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This next moth is known as The Bad-Wing, another great name...

The Bad-Wing (Dyspteris abortivaria) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

One of my favourites; the subtle but beautiful Canadian Owlet. 

Canadian Owlet (Calyptra canadensis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Raspberry Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta signatalis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Dark Marathyssa Moth (Marathyssa inficita) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Orange-headed Epicallima (Epicallima argenticinctella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

In Ontario we have two species of Hypoprepia lichen moths - the Painted and the Scarlet-winged. I had seen the Painted on many occasions (and it is pictured earlier in this post) but the Scarlet-winged was a new one for me at the Manester Tract. It was love at first sight...

Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia miniata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

I think I may have a new favourite moth. This has to be one of the most attractive species we have in Ontario. 

Scarlet-winged Lichen Moth (Hypoprepia miniata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This is a Roundneck Sexton Beetle, a type of carrion beetle. They always have some attendant mites!

Roundneck Sexton Beetle (Nicrophorus orbicollis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Maple Looper Moth (Parallelia bistrialis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

This next species is one of the wasp-mimics - the Maple Callus Borer. 

Maple Callus Borer (Synanthedon acerni) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Grease Moth (Aglossa cuprina) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Busck's Plume Moth (Geina buscki) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Rose Hooktip (Oreta rosea) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Sciota subfuscella - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Orange-tufted Oneida Moth (Oneida lunulalis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Formosa Looper (Chrysanympha formosa) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Delicate Cycnia Moth (Cycnia tenera) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

One of the last new moths on the sheet made staying up late very much worth it! This is a Pink Prominent, a species that in Ontario can only be found at St. William's and near Lambton Shores. It is towards the end of its flight season, which is why it is fairly worn. A super cool moth to see!

Pink Prominent (Hyparpax aurora) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

For those of you still reading this, thanks! We are almost at the end. I will finish with a few more "random" moths that I photographed throughout the evening. 

Girard's Grass-Veneer (Crambus girardellus) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Gray-edged Snout (Hypena madefactalis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Robinson's Eucosma Moth (Pelochrista robinsonana) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Spotted Peppergrass Moth (Eustixia pupula) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Large Clover Casebearer Moth (Coleophora trifolii) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Pale Gray Bird-dropping Moth (Antaeotricha leucillana) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Gray Spruce Looper Moth (Caripeta divisata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Ambiguous Moth (Lascoria ambigualis) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Colourful Zale Moth (Zale minerea) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Eucosma ornatula - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Carmine Snout (Peoria approximella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Northern Pine Tussock Moth (Dasychira plagiata) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

The Beggar (Eubaphe mendica) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Curve-lined Argyria Moth (Argyria auratella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

Sweet Clover Root Borer Moth (Walshia miscecolorella) - Manester Tract, Norfolk County

We finally called it a night at close to 4 AM and drove to the Timpf farm to set up the tents. I fell asleep as the dawn chorus began and the sky lightened - a weird sensation. It was all worth it though, with over 200 species of moths observed. Somehow, 48 species were new ones for me. The diversity of Lepidoptera just blows my mind. Anyways, I cannot wait to get back down to the St. William's area for some more geeking out!