Volume 10 Number 2 22 April 2022
The Taxonomic Report
OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEPIDOPTERA SURVEY
ISSN 2643-4776 (print) / ISSN 2643-4806 (online)
Notes on Eastern North American Lepidoptera.
parts by
Harry Pavulaan (editor), Annette Allor
ABSTRACT. New natural history elements and distribution records of several North American butterflies are reported.
While diversity and distribution of butterflies in the eastern United States is commonly believed to be fully known, the findings
presented here show that much is yet to be learned of our butterfly fauna.
Celastrina ladon and C. neglecta (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) are distinct
species differentiated primarily by a diagnostic wing scale structure,
voltinism, and host tolerance of Cornus florida.
Harry Pavulaan
606 Hunton Place NE, Leesburg, VA, USA, 20176
intlepsurvey @ gmail.com
ABSTRACT. With continued confusion of the two species by naturalists, Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards) is here
clarified as a distinct species, not a form or subspecies of fully sympatric C. ladon (Cramer). Each is characterized by distinct
physiological characteristics, phenology, voltinism, host tolerance, and distribution. C. /adon is an obligate univoltine taxon,
appearing in a single springtime flight throughout its range limited to the eastern United States, while C. neglecta produces
multiple late-winter through early-fall broods over a much broader range, and may be represented by localized ecotypes or
biotypes. C. ladon is distinguished from all other blue Celastrina species primarily by the presence of a unique male forewing
scale structure found in no other Celastrina except for dorsally-black C. nigra.
Additional key words: Androconia, elongated overlapping scales, voltinism.
INTRODUCTION
Celastrina ladon and C. neglecta were each described as separate species, but have long been
misunderstood, and subsequently treated as a single species consisting of a spring flight commonly referred
to as form violacea (“Spring Azure’) and subsequent summer flights commonly referred to as form neglecta
(“Summer Azure’). William Henry Edwards studied and extensively documented the relationship of the
North American Celastrina, in the process describing L. violacea (W. H. Edwards, 1866) (later
synonymized under C. ladon), L. neglecta (W. H. Edwards, 1862), and “redescribed” L. pseudargiolus (W.
H. Edwards, 1866, 1868-69) (what would eventually be known as C. neglectamajor), but ultimately
confused their relationships. Edwards’ confusion arose from his misunderstanding that any univoltine
Celastrina will readily produce subsequent annual generations when reared under artificial (lab) conditions.
No doubt confused by his own rearing results, he concluded his life’s work on the genus in Vol. II of his
Butterflies of North America (W. H. Edwards, 1884), exclaiming that all North American Celastrina
comprised a single, highly variable and phenologically complex taxon: “...their history has come to be
The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
thoroughly known, and it is found that they...constitute one polymorphic species, which has possession of
the broad continent...”” Virtually all subsequent taxonomic treatments through the end of the 20th century
followed Edwards’ faulty conclusion, with few authors actually performing necessary study to support their
own assumptions.
Furthermore, several authors have treated North American Celastrina populations as subspecies of
Eurasian C. argiolus (dos Passos, 1964; Howe, 1975; Eliot & Kawazoe, 1983; Scott, 1986; Ferris, 1989).
The present paper clearly demonstrates that C. ladon is uniquely different from C. argiolus by the dorsal
forewing scale structure of males (Omura et. al., 2015) (Fig. 3A & 3M). C. neglecta and C. argiolus both
have typical Celastrina androconia (Fig. 3A & K), yet they differ primarily by phenotypical characters.
They are also broadly allopatric, with C. argiolus confined to Eurasia, and C. neglecta confined to eastern
North America.
The purpose of the present paper is to present joint findings with my research associate David M.
Wright, resulting from 38 years of fieldwork, rearing, and detailed examination of specimens. Our work
on the Celastrina set aside over a century of erroneous presumptions by authors and commenced with a
fresh look.
COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC PHENOTYPICAL CHARACTERS
Despite the superficial similarity of both species in their spring flight periods; their similar blue
dorsal surfaces and gray ventral surfaces displaying the same general pattern of black markings; the primary
difference between both species is in the structure of the male dorsal forewing scale alignment (Figs. 1-3).
Understanding of this morphological character and recognition of this difference in both Jadon and
winter/spring brood neglecta is critical to proper identification of both species.
Dorsal forewing scale structure in males
C. neglecta: Males of all broods have typical Celastrina forewing scale structure in which the blue scales
are arranged in neatly-aligned rows and underlain by androconia (Figs. 1 black arrow & 3K) which are
also arranged in neat rows, best described as appearing like shingles on a roof. The dorsal side of the
forewings of the winter/spring form has a “metallic” luster.
C. ladon: Males possess a unique forewing scale structure different from males of C. neglecta and all other
Celastrina except the black C. nigra which also has this unique structure. A layer of clear elongated scales
(Fig. 2 black arrow & 3M) overlays the layer of blue scales beneath, replacing the rows of androconial
scales that are found in other Celastrina with the exception of C. nigra. The appearance of these overlaying
scales gives a haphazard appearance under magnification. The dorsal side of the forewings has a distinct
“greasy film” sheen in sunlight.
Dorsal characters of males
C. neglecta: Males of the winter/spring brood tend to be uniformly bright metallic blue dorsally (Fig. 4).
The outer fringe of the hindwings is normally clear white. Striking white wing veins highlight the leading
edge of the forewing; sometimes white veins appear in the center of the forewing. Males of the subsequent
summer broods (Fig. 4) tend to be a lighter violet blue and the secondaries display a distinct arrangement
of white coloration within the wing cells, appearing as white rays extending out from the base.
The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
C. ladon: Males tend to be uniformly violet-blue dorsally (Fig. 4). The outer wing fringes are normally
gray or somewhat “checkered” with alternating gray and white. The leading edge of the forewing has a
subdued shade of lightened scales.
at, I —
Fig. 1: C. neglecta wing scales and androconia.
SS 4 | |Fig. 3: Androconia of Celastrina argiolus (A) and
SSS Se a ; | |Celastina neglecta (K), and elongated scale of
Fig. 2: C. ladon overlay scales, covering blue scales. ||Celastrina ladon (M) from Omura, ef. al (2015).
Figs. 1 & 2 from Wright & Pavulaan (1999).
Dorsal characters of females
C. neglecta: Females of the winter/spring brood tend to be uniformly brilliant blue dorsally with a distinct
metallic sheen (Fig. 4). The outer wing fringes of the hindwings are normally clear white. Striking white
wing veins highlight the leading edge of the forewing; sometimes white veins appear in the center of the
forewing. Females of the subsequent summer broods (Fig. 4) tend to be a paler blue in the forewings with
a cloud of gray/white scales centered in the disk. The hindwings display white coloration within the wing
cells similar to the males, appearing as white rays extending out from the base, often extending over the
entire wing, giving the secondaries an almost completely white appearance.
C. ladon: Females tend to be uniformly deep violet-blue dorsally (Fig. 4). The outer wing fringes are
normally gray or somewhat “checkered” with alternating gray and white.
The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
Ventral characters of males and females
C. neglecta: Adults of the winter/spring brood tend to be whitish-gray ventrally (Figs. 4, 5), and have been
described as having a white or light “steel-gray” appearance. The wing outer fringes are normally clear
white. The spot pattern on the hindwing can be highly variable (as variable as in ladon). The spots can be
quite enlarged or very reduced, often appearing like the summer form beneath. Individuals with darkened
margins or discal patches occur, though rarely. In neglecta, these markings are characteristically black-
pigmented. The summer form is much whiter beneath, with a greatly reduced spot pattern (Fig. 4).
C. ladon: Adults tend to be medium gray ventrally (Figs. 4, 6). The outer wing fringes are normally gray
or somewhat “checkered” with alternating gray and white. The spot pattern on the hindwing is variable but
the spots tend to be more enlarged than in winter/spring form neglecta. The form with a darkened margin
along the outer edge of the hindwing (form “marginata” of authors) (Fig. 7) is frequently encountered, but
mainly in the northern tier and in the Appalachian Mountain region. Both spotted-venter and dark-margined
forms tend to have these markings more brown-pigmented.
Fig. 4. Comparison of Celastrina phenotypes. Top row, left to right: C. ladon male
female; underside. Middle row, left to right: C. neglecta winter/spring form male;
female; underside. Bottom row, left to right: C. neglecta summer form male; female;
underside. All specimens taken by the author in Loudoun County, VA.
+ ae
Fig. 5. C. neglecta spring form. Photo Fig. 6. C. ladon. Photo courtesy Lydia Fig. 7. C. ladon, margined form. Photo
courtesy Matt Orsie. Fravel. courtesy Annette Allor.
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DIAPAUSE, VOLTINISM AND PRESENCE OF ECOTYPES AND BIOTYPES
C. ladon is an obligate univoltine butterfly. After 38 years of rearing C. ladon from both wild-
collected and lab-obtained ova and larvae, it is clearly evident that C. ladon is strictly obligate-univoltine,
and does not produce multiple annual generations. It is important to realize that larvae reared under artificial
conditions (a regimen of unnatural day length and steady temperature) will almost always produce a false
“summer” brood of an unnatural phenotype. This lab-reared false generation of ladon displays the same
unique male forewing scale structure present in the natural parental adults, at a rate of 100%. The unique
ladon forewing scale structure is not subject to variation. Only by rearing larvae in natural (outdoor)
conditions of normal day length and fluctuating day/night temperatures, can one reasonably expect pupae
to go into diapause, thus confirming the univoltine nature of ladon. Natural broods were produced from C.
ladon females collected in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Artificially produced
“second-generation” broods with the unique wing scale structure were produced from C. ladon females
collected in Maryland, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Among thousands of
Celastrina specimens examined from the eastern U.S., in various institutional and private collections,
individuals possessing the unique wing scale structure appeared only in the spring.
C. neglecta, on the other hand, produces multiple annual generations. In northern Virginia and
central Maryland, adults have been found to emerge as early as February. Larvae reared both under natural
conditions of spring and early summer, and artificial (laboratory) conditions, will always produce the typical
summer phenotype (Fig. 4). Ova and larvae collected in late-summer and early-fall and reared under natural
conditions will undergo diapause and hibernate until the following year, and will produce the natural
winter/spring phenotype.
An interesting topic is the highly adaptable nature of regional and localized populations of C.
neglecta, fine-tuning their flights to coincide with and to take advantage of the pre-bloom budding period
of select hostplants. Several apparent ecotypes or biotypes of C. neglecta have been identified (this will be
addressed in greater depth in subsequent papers currently in work). Most populations in the northern
Piedmont region will produce a late-winter/early spring brood of the winter/spring form, followed by
multiple annual broods of the summer form which commence in mid-May. I refer to this fully multivoltine
entity as C. neglecta type-1 in research. Type-1 is exceptionally common along the Potomac River
immediately west of Washington D.C. and at sites along the foothills of the Blue Ridge.
In some isolated sites, a population or localized colony will actually skip the winter/spring flight,
and first emerge during the second generation of type-1 that flies in surrounding areas in mid-May, thus
producing the summer phenotype as the first brood at that location. This has been observed annually in a
marsh habitat study area in Herndon, VA for several decades. In some locations in the Appalachian
Mountains, there is a delayed-emergence bivoltine neglecta that first emerges in June, after the May flight
of neglecta type-1. It will produce a second brood in August. Generally, it flies between broods of type-1
and consists of only the summer form. I refer to this as C. neglecta type-2 in research. The overlapping
broods of types 1 and 2 give the appearance of a continually-brooded species in areas where both occur.
Whether these represent ecotypes, biotypes, consistent host races, or cryptic sibling species remains
under intensive study. For the purposes of this paper, the C. neglecta type-1 populations are of greatest
importance in comparisons to C. ladon, since the late-winter/early-spring brood and phenotype of neglecta
has long been confused with C. ladon, prior to our discovery of the unique male wing scale structure of
ladon.
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HOSTPLANT SELECTION OF C. ladon AND SPRING BROOD C. neglecta
Due to overwhelming confusion over which names applied to the various Celastrina in the literature,
previous hostplant listings are unreliable and inaccurate at best. Both C. ladon and C. neglecta have varied
host choices during spring. For the purposes of this paper, I am primarily only concerned with hosts selected
by ladon and the sympatric winter/spring brood of neglecta type-1. Rearing larvae to maturity or
photographing larvae on certain hostplants is essential to our understanding of which species is present.
Hostplants only of the early winter/spring brood of C. neglecta are listed here to help define the
distinction between the two fully sympatric taxa. C. ladon has been documented/confirmed on the
following hosts in Virginia, West Virginia and central Maryland: Cornus florida (regionwide), Prunus
serotina flower buds and eriophyid mite leaf galls (Frederick Co., VA.; Allegheny Co., MD.), Viburnum
prunifolium (Loudoun Co., VA.), Ilex opaca (Westmoreland Co., VA., Anne Arundel Co., MD.).
Winter/spring brood C. neglecta has been documented/confirmed on following hosts in Virginia and central
Maryland: /lex opaca (Fairfax and Westmoreland Co’s., VA.; Anne Arundel Co., MD.), Prunus serotina
flower buds and eriophyid mite leaf galls (Frederick Co., MD.; Frederick Co., VA.), and Viburnum
prunifolium (Loudoun Co., VA.). Additional hosts are used elsewhere.
A CRITICAL FINDING OF HOSTPLANT ACCEPTANCE
In a previous study (Pavulaan, 2014), it was noted that spring Celastrina neglecta females will not
Oviposit on, and neonate C. neglecta larvae will refuse to eat Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) - the
primary C. ladon host. In the 2012-2014 study, captive females of sympatric C. ladon and spring flight C.
neglecta (ex Leesburg, VA.) were confined in containers with cuttings of C. florida flower buds. While C.
ladon females readily oviposited on C. florida, C. neglecta females refused to oviposit on the same plant
under identical conditions. On the other hand, neglecta females confined with cuttings of Viburnum
prunifolium readily oviposited on that host, while C. ladon females did not. In the rearing experiment,
individual flower buds containing C. neglecta eggs were removed and strategically placed on cuttings of C.
florida flower buds so that newly-hatched larvae would have the direct choice of feeding on Cornus florida.
Newly hatched larvae were also transferred from V. prunifolium buds to C. florida, thus leaving them no
choice but to feed on C. florida. Most of the first instar C. neglecta larvae ignored the C. florida,
subsequently starving. A few remaining neglecta larvae attempted to feed on C. florida --- not on the flower
buds, but rather boring into the base of the underside of the white bracts or into the basal portion of the
flower buds. All C. neglecta larvae confined on C. florida died. Subsequent attempts in 2016-2018 and in
2020 replicated the earlier results, with all neglecta larvae preferring to starve rather than to eat C. florida.
When returned to V. prunifolium buds, neglecta larvae immediately resumed feeding. In 2018, young fourth
instar larvae of neglecta were transferred to C. florida. While those larvae did initially feed on C. florida,
they all died within 3 days of transfer, while remaining in a feeding position. It is concluded that Cornus
florida is toxic to C. neglecta. Curiously, while captive C. ladon females would not oviposit on V.
prunifolium buds in this study, Jadon larvae were once found on a V. prunifolium shrub in nature. These
larvae, when offered the same host in the laboratory, accepted it and produced adults.
DISTRIBUTION AND RANGE
C. ladon is essentially an Appalachian-Ozarkian endemic, and the range of C. ladon (Map 1)
coincides very precisely with the historic range of Cornus florida, considered the primary host. Due to the
regional demise of C. florida beginning around 1983 and maximizing around 1998, due to Discula
destructiva (Dogwood Anthracnose) fungal blight, C. ladon populations have gone into a dramatic decline
in areas where Anthracnose has had greatest impact on C. florida. For example, in study areas throughout
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The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
northern Virginia and central Maryland, the primary “Spring Azure” since around 1990 is C. neglecta,
which has essentially replaced C. Jadon in many areas, and has become noticeably very common in late
winter and early spring. C. ladon, on the other hand, with relatively few surviving (fungal resistant?) C.
florida trees in the same areas, now hangs on as a relatively rare species. In some areas where C. ladon
successfully utilizes alternate hosts, the species remains fairly stable, such as in the Appalachian Mountains
(on Prunus serotina) and the Chesapeake Bay Region (on [lex opaca) in Maryland and Virginia.
The range of C. neglecta extends considerably beyond the range of C. ladon, completely
encompassing the range of the latter. C. neglecta ranges from southeastern Canada, south to the Gulf Coast,
and west through the Great Plains region into southcentral Canada (Map 2). All over its range, C. neglecta
has been documented on an extensive range of hosts and its populations appear to be stable.
Map 1. Documented range of C. ladon. Map courtesy of Map 2. Documented range of C. neglecta. Map courtesy of
David M. Wright. David M. Wright.
TAXONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Clench & Miller (1980) designated a neotype for Papilio ladon Cramer [1780] and differentiated it
from Eurasian C. argiolus. They selected a specimen with a type locality stated as: “Anne Arundel Co.:
Patuxent River, 19.iv.1964’, which was later found to possess the unique /Jadon male forewing scale
structure. The authors noted association with the name pseudargiolus (Boisduval & Le Conte, [1835], and
considered the latter name a synonym of ladon. Clench & Miller did not recognize the unique elongated
scale of the C. ladon neotype and thus assumed “specimens from later broods...” were broods of C. ladon.
Ironically, the authors stated of North American Celastrina: “the androconial scales differed between New
and most Old World argiolus-group butterflies. It is not clear what the authors intended to convey in regard
to differences in androconia, as this was not illustrated in their paper. Omura, et al. (2015) studied the
androconia of Eurasian and North American Celastrina and illustrated differences in the androconia of the
studied species (C. argiolus argiolus, C. a. tynteana, C. a. ladonides, C. filipjevi, C. lavendularis himilcon,
C. oreas arisana, C. sugitanii kyushuensis, C. echo cinerea, C. neglecta, C. idella, C. lucia and C.
neglectamajor), but most significant in their study was a clear demonstration of the absence of androconia
and presence of the long overlay scale in Jadon which replaces androconia typically found in Celastrina
(Fig. 3). Clench & L. D. Miller also illustrated differences in male genitalia between European C. argiolus
and C. ladon, but it is not known which species, ladon or neglecta, were examined under their concept of
ladon. C. argiolus also differs phenotypically from both ladon and neglecta by the deep violet coloration
of the dorsal side of the wings. On the ventral side of C. argiolus, the ground color is a pearly white and
there is an area of greenish blue clouding at the base of the hindwings. Current mtDNA studies (in progress)
show significant divergence of all North American Celastrina from Eurasian C. argiolus.
i,
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CONCLUSIONS
(1) The two taxonomic entities Celastrina ladon and C. neglecta are distinct sympatric species throughout
the smaller range of C. ladon. The range of neglecta (Map 2) completely overlaps the range of ladon
(Map 1) and extends considerably beyond the range of ladon.
(2) In much of the eastern U.S. Piedmont region, the spring brood of C. neglecta is persuasively our
common “Spring” Azure. Since the demise of Cornus florida, C. ladon has become localized and
otherwise rare throughout the Piedmont and Atlantic Coastal Plain regions, but is apparently stabilized
in deciduous forest habitat containing abundant //ex opaca understory in the Chesapeake Bay region,
and in many locations in the Appalachian Mountains where it utilizes Prunus serotina.
(3) Cornus florida, the primary host of C. ladon, 1s toxic to C. neglecta larvae, though the species share
other hosts in common.
(4) Celastrina ladon, by possessing a male forewing scale structure unique among the blue members of the
genus, is separated at the species level from all other Celastrina.
(5) It is important to note that reliable identification and differentiation of the two species depends entirely
on examination of the dorsal forewing surfaces (especially males). Though it is possible to differentiate
a percentage of the two species from ventral views (generally considered unreliable), there is
considerable overlap in variation and requires considerable training and experience to accurately
distinguish most specimens by their venters.
(6) The following species arrangement is hereby confirmed for eastern United States Celastrina and
Eurasian C. argiolus (historically treated as representing the North American species):
Celastrina argiolus (Linnaeus, 1758) [extralimital (Eurasia) |
Celastrina ladon (Cramer, 1780)
=pseudargiolus (Boisduval & Le Conte, [1835])
=violacea (W. H. Edwards, 1866)
Celastrina lucia (W. Kirby, 1837)
Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards, 1862)
Celastrina nigra (W. Forbes, 1960)
Celastrina neglectamajor Opler & Krizek, 1984
Celastrina idella D. Wright & Pavulaan, 1999
Celastrina serotina Pavulaan & D. Wright, 2005
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A sincere thanks goes to David M. Wright (with whom I have studied North American Celastrina
for 38 years as of this writing) for previewing the initial drafts of the manuscript for errors, corrections or
additions, for the maps and wing images. Also, thanks to one anonymous reviewer who provided helpful
comments. A special thanks go to the following Maryland naturalists for lively discussions on Celastrina
and providing imagery for analysis: Annette Allor, Lydia Fravel, Richard Orr, Matt Orsie, Aaron Graham.
LITERATURE CITED
dos Passos, C. F. 1964. A Synonymic List of the Nearctic Rhopalocera. The Lepidopterists’ Society,
Memoir No. 1: v + 145 pp.
Edwards, W. H. 1862. Descriptions of certain species of diurnal Lepidoptera found within the limits of
the United States and British America - No.2. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. 14:54-58.
Edwards, W. H. 1866. Descriptions of certain species of diurnal Lepidoptera found within the limits of
the United States and British America - No.5. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Phila. 6:200-208.
8
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Edwards, W. H. 1868-69. The Butterflies of North America, Vol. 1. Amer. Ent. Soc., Phila.: 218 pp. +
50 pl. [“Lycaena I” issued Dec., 1868; “Lycaena II” issued Dec., 1869.].
Edwards, W. H. 1884. The Butterflies of North America, Vol. 2. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston: 357
pp. + 51 pl. [“Lycaena H, HT’).
Eliot, J. N. & A. Kawazoe. 1983. Blue Butterflies of the Lycaenopsis Group. British Museum (Natural
History), AS Printers Limited, Over Wallop, Hampshire, England: 309 pp.
Ferris, C. D. (ed.). 1989. Supplement to: A Catalogue/Checklist of the Butterflies of America North of
Mexico. The Lepidopterists’ Society, Memoir No. 3: vii + 103 pp.
Howe, W. H. (ed.). 1975. The Butterflies of North America. Doubleday & Company, Inc., New York:
Xili + 633 pp.
Omura, H., T. Itoh, D. M. Wright, H. Pavulaan & S. Schréder. 2015. Morphological study of alar
androconia in Celastrina butterflies. Entomological Science 2015: 1-7.
Pavulaan, H. 2014. A case of sympatric Celastrina ladon (Cramer), Celastrina lucia (W. Kirby) and
Celastrina neglecta (Edwards) (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) in Northern Virginia, with
additional records of C. lucia in Virginia. The Taxonomic Report 7(7): 1-10.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford: xiii + 584 pp.
Wright, D. M. & H. Pavulaan. 1999. Celastrina idella (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae): A new butterfly
species from the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The Taxonomic Report 1(9): 1-11.
ADDENDUM
North American Celastrina butterflies form a complex grouping of very closely related (recently-
evolved) species, ecotypes, biotypes and host-associated populations. Over 30 years of attempts at
crossbreeding some of the eastern taxa has proven fruitless, as the males and females seem to be able to
identify and respond only to their own kind, certainly by the scent of lactone compounds in the male
androconia, and in the case of ladon — the lack thereof. Evidence of hybridization between different
Celastrina has not been documented. Our present knowledge depends heavily on morphological
comparison of specimens, field observations, and hostplant acceptance experiments. Microscopic
evaluation of the genitalia of correctly-identified neglecta and ladon awaits future study, since any past
examination of genitalia of eastern North American Celastrina was based on outdated taxonomy and not
clearly identified to species by current definitions. Presently, in collaboration with Dr. David Wright and
myself, a team of geneticists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is conducting
intensive genomic sequencing of all North American members of the Celastrina. Results will be
forthcoming but preliminary analysis clearly shows distinctive differences between neglecta and ladon.
A rare case of mosaic gynandromorphism in the Zabulon Skipper
(Lon zabulon) (Boisduval & Le Conte[1837]) (Hesperiidae).
Annette Allor
aallor@aol.com
On August 15, 2021, I found an odd, yet beautiful example of a Zabulon Skipper (Figs. 1-6) in
Elkridge, Howard Co., MD (off the Morning Choice Trail), not far from the Rockburn Branch stream. The
habitat was at the edge of a forest clearing, typical for the butterfly. A few patches of thistles in peak bloom
were covered with Zabulon Skippers. It took me a few seconds to figure out that this particular butterfly
was, in fact, a Zabulon Skipper. But what a skipper it was! It had both male and female characteristics. I
9
The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
have seen gynandromorph photographs of butterflies with one side female and the other male, but this
skipper showed a blending of traits throughout. The underside of a normal Zabulon male skipper is yellow
orange with several small reddish-brown spots, while the female is dark brown and purple gray with frosting
on the outer margins. This skipper showed the dark brown color and frosting of the female along with the
yellow orange markings of the male (Figs. 1-2). I have never seen anything quite like it. The typical
Zabulon males that also appear in the frame were perfect for comparison purposes.
After later investigations and subsequent emails, it turns out that this Zabulon Skipper may be the
only North American Skipper ever documented with mosaic gynandromorphism. Gynandromorphism is
usually only noticed in Swallowtails and species where males and females look quite different. However,
mosaic gynandromorphism is much rarer.
. i=
: , 1 — *sS £7
Fig. 1. Lon zabulon mosaic Fig. 2. Lon zabulon mosaic Fig. 3. Lon zabulon mosaic
gynandromorph (left ventral view) gynandromorph (right ventral view) gynandromorph (right FW ventral view)
showing mainly female characteristics. | showing mainly male characteristics. showing mainly female characteristics.
All photos courtesy Annette Allor.
—— a 8) PE MPS
“ £ ww x tah \ ‘
Fig. 4. Lon zabulon mosaic Fig. 5. Lon zabulon comparison of Fig. 6. Lon zabulon comparison of
gynandromorph (HW dorsal view) mosaic gynandromorph individual with mosaic gynandromorph individual with
showing mainly male characteristics. two normal males. a normal male.
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Rhode Island, USA Fall Lepidoptera Survey 2021
Harry Pavulaan [coordinator]
606 Hunton Place NE, Leesburg, VA. 20176
intlepsurvey @ gmail.com
ABSTRACT: The first TILS-sponsored survey to document lepidoptera near season’s end in Rhode Island was conducted Sept.
18 to Oct. 10. The goal was to document southward migrants as well as northward migrants, and also the presence and abundance
of resident late season broods in the Ocean State. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participation was dampened,
but several participants provided a good window to what was flying.
INTRODUCTION
Near the southern New England coast, cool evenings around the beginning of fall generally signal the
start of the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) migration westward through Rhode Island and Connecticut, then
south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico. While this migration is well documented, several other
species have been observed to migrate with them. Past observations by the coordinator in 1983 and 1984
confirmed a steady movement of Question Marks (Polygonia interrogationis) along the same route, but in
considerably smaller numbers. This movement may be more akin to a localized movement of individuals
to more hospitable overwintering conditions, perhaps along the coast southward, rather than a true
migration. Reports from nearby Massachusetts indicate a similar movement among Mourning Cloak
(Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies, but not yet observed in Rhode Island. The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
and Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) have been anecdotally reported to migrate southward in fall along
the Atlantic coast but this has not yet been studied in detail. Observations indicate that these two species
do congregate in large numbers along the coast in early fall, but no actual movement has yet been observed
in Rhode Island. Likely most of these will perish with the onset of winter.
Rhode Island, as well as the rest of the southern New England coastal region, is known for its
comparatively moderated temperate climate, compared to inland areas. Rhode Island winters are often
tempered by proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, though extreme cold spells are not
uncommon. The progression of spring is delayed by several days or weeks, due to the fact that the ocean
remains cold for several months into seasonal warmup. Summers are generally cooler overall than interior
New England regions, and afternoon sea breezes are a welcome relief on summer days, often many miles
inland. Fall sees the reverse of spring, with frosts and freezes delayed several weeks due to proximity to
the ocean, which retains its warmth for several weeks into the fall. This extended mild, frost-free period
allows continued migration of northbound migrants such as Phoebis sennae (Cloudless Sulphur),
Panoquina ocola (Ocola Skipper) and Hylephila phyleus (Fiery Skipper) annually, as well as infrequent
migrants such as Danaus gilippus (Queen) and Dione vanillae (Gulf Fritillary). It also provides continued
safe passage for southbound migrants, among which Danaus plexippus (Monarch) is best known for.
The 2021 count, spanning Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, experienced a very mild period, with only a slight, steady
decline in daily high temperatures. Nighttime temperatures varied considerably, but remained mild, and
well above frost temperatures. The below chart (Fig. 1) reflects daily high and low temperatures recorded
at Providence during the count period. Rain occurred infrequently during the period, mainly over the latter
part of September, but most rains were light and mostly occurred during evening hours.
1]
The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
Daily High/Low Temperatures (F°) at Providence
90.0
£0.0
70.0
60.0
50
40.0
30.
20.0
10.0
0.0
16 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 276 29 30)1 2 3 4 5 6 Ff 6 8 10
B High Temp. B Low Temp.
Fig. 1. High and low temperature chart for Providence, R.I., Sept. 18 — Oct. 10, 2021.
Based on https://weather-forcast.nz/ and www.LocalConditions.com.
SOURCES AND METHODS
Lepidoptera were recorded primarily by cellphone camera or other photographic means. The vast
majority of images were of live individuals, some pinned specimens. Reports without images were accepted
from reliable sources. Records were submitted either directly to the coordinator (Harry Pavulaan) via email
or Facebook Messenger, while others were sourced from internet sources: Butterfliesandmoths.org
(BAMONA)); iNaturalist, e-Butterfly and the Rhode Island Butterflies and Moths Facebook group. Records
are attributed to the list of contributors below. Many contributors to iNaturalist use pseudonyms instead of
their real names. Those not identified by real name are listed anonymously under “IN” (iNaturalist):
AH = Aaron Hunt KL = Kevin Lynch via iNaturalist
AK = Alan Kneidel via iNaturalist KR = Kimberly Rose
AP = Andrea Petrullo via iNaturalist KT = Kyle Testerman via iNaturalist
BC =Brad Cheever via iNaturalist LS = Laurie Sousa-Andrews
BH =Bridget Holzwarth MM = Melissa Mowry via iNaturalist
BM = Brian Maynard via iNaturalist MW = Martin Wencek
BR_ = Bob Rutkowski via iNaturalist PH = Pamela Aaronson Hamilton
BS = Betsy Staples PM = Pat Molloy
CE =Chris Ekholm via iNaturalist RB = Robin Baranowski via iNaturalist
CO = Selia Colechia via iNaturalist RE = Kelly Reiss
CS = Clare Stone RN = Raphaél Nussbaumer via iNaturalist
DG = David Gregg SC =Sean Cournoyer via iNaturalist
DM = David Mozzoni via eButterfly SD =Sue Dunn
EG =Emily Goyette via iNaturalist SF = Steve Forbes
HS = Heather Simmons via iNaturalist SG = Sandra Gaumont
IN =1Naturalist — anonymous SW = Susan Wesley via iNaturalist
JA =James Michielini via iNaturalist TI = Thomas Irvine via BAMONA, iNaturalist
JM =Jeff Maletski TM = Todd McLeish
JN =Jim Natale via iNaturalist WJ = Walter Jimenez via iNaturalist
JO =Joe MacIndewar via iNaturalist WM = Wendy Miller
JT =Julie Triedman via iNaturalist
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The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
RESULTS BY LEPIDOPTERA FAMILY
All butterflies and moths are listed under their respective Lepidopteran FAMILY (i.e. Papilionidae)
rather than by superfamily. Butterflies are listed in the sequence given in the Pelham (2008) Catalogue. A
comment, indicating residency or migratory status, is provided for butterflies only. Moths’ residency status
is yet poorly known for the most part. Moths are listed beneath each Family group in alphabetical order.
Observations of larvae are listed separately, in alphabetic order by genus, regardless of Lepidopteran family
group. All records are by city or town (underlined).
PAPILIONIDAE
Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail) — resident.
South Kingstown: 5 Oct. (IN) 1
PIERIDAE
Pieris rapae (Cabbage White) — resident.
East Providence: 26 Sept. (PM) 2
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 7; 2 Oct. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Raphanus sativus (Cultivated Radish), and Aster sp. (Aster).
Johnston: 7 Oct. (MW) 1
Little Compton: 19 Sept. (IN) 1
Narragansett: 25 Sept. (MW, WM) 2; 3 Oct. (CS, MW) 1; 6 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var.
(Butterfly Bush), Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Newport: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion).
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 2 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 21 Sept. (CS) 55; 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 68 — Nectaring on Capsicum annuum (Bell Pepper), Eutrochium
purpureum (Sweet Scented Joe Pye Weed), Hieracium sp. (Hawkweed), Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Providence: 29 Sept. IN, MW) 2; 30 Sept. (MW) 1; 7 Oct. (MW) 3; 8 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Taraxacum officinale
(Dandelion).
South Kingstown: 19 Sept. (MW) 3; 26 Sep. (SG, WM) 7; 29 Sept. (CS) 1; 30 Sept. (CS) 1; 3 Oct. (MW) 1; 10 Oct. (JT) 1
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 5; 1 Oct. (SF) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. red var. (Butterfly
Bush).
Colias eurytheme (Orange Sulphur) - resident.
Bristol: 18 Sept. (TI) 2
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster), Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Jamestown: 18 Sept. (KR, SD) 2; 19 Sept. (DM) 1 — Nectaring on Trifolium pratense (Red Clover), Aster sp. (Aster), and
Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 21 Sept. (CS) 2; 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 1
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 8
Colias philodice (Clouded Sulphur) - resident.
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 7; 2 Oct. (MW) 8 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster), Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
Narragansett: 25 Sept. (MW, WM) 2 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 21 Sept. (CS) 2; 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 6 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Eutrochium
purpureum (Sweet Scented Joe Pye Weed).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 9
LYCAENIDAE
Lycaena phlaeas hypophlaeas (American Copper) - resident.
Barrington: 26 Sept. (BS) 1 — Nectaring on Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (New York Aster).
Bristol: 22 Sept. (IN) 1; 26 Sept. (IN) 1; 27 Sept. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 1; 2 Oct. (MW) 2
East Providence: 26 Sept. (PM) 2
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Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Middletown: 30 Sept. (BR) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 2 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Warwick: 20 Sept. (SD) 1; 25 Sept. (IN) 1; 27 Sept. (IN, SD) 2 — Nectaring on Hylotelephium telephium (Autumn Joy
Sedum), Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster), Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (New York Aster).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 1; 5 Oct. (SF) 1
Parrhasius m-album (White-M Hairstreak) — resident.
Bristol: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod)
Calycopis cecrops (Red Banded Hairstreak) - resident.
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 3
South Kingstown: 19 Sept. (MW) 1; 20 Sept. (DG) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod), Symphyotrichum
cordifolium (Common Blue Wood Aster).
Warwick: 3 Oct. (DM) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Strymon melinus (Gray Hairstreak) -— resident.
East Providence: 26 Sept. (PM) 2
Narragansett: 1 Oct. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Cupido comyntas comyntas (Eastern Tailed Blue) -— resident.
Charlestown: 18 Sept. (RB) 1
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 1; 2 Oct. (MW) 2 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 1
South Kingstown: 19 Sept. (MW) 1 - Nectaring on Buddleia sp. white var. (Butterfly Bush).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 2; 8 Oct. (SF) 1 — Nectaring on Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon or Montauk Daisy).
Celastrina neglecta (Summer Azure) - resident.
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 1
NYMPHALIDAE
Danaus plexippus (Monarch) - seasonal migrant, mass southbound movement in fall.
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (MW) 3; 2 Oct. (MW) 6 — Nectaring on Daucus carota (Queen Anne’s Lace), Trifolium pratense (Red
Clover).
East Providence: 26 Sept. (PM) 2
Exeter: 3 Oct. (BH) 2
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 3 — Nectaring on Tanacetum coccineum pink var. (Painted Daisy).
Johnston: 18 Sept. (CE) 1; 26 Sept. (PH) 1
Middletown: 30 Sept. (BR) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod)
Narragansett: 20 Sept. (BS) 2; 25 Sept. (MW) 1; 27 Sept. (IN) 1; 3 Oct. (CS, MW) 21; 6 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on
Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush), Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod), and other Solidago sp.
(Goldenrod).
Newport: 29 Sept. (IN) 9 — Nectaring on Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon or Montauk Daisy).
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, JA, MW) 13; 27 Sept. (BC) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Eutrochium
purpureum (Sweet Scented Joe Pye Weed), Hieracium sp. (Hawkweed), Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Pawtucket: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush).
Providence: 27 Sept. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Linaria vulgaris (Butter and Eggs).
South Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW, SG, WM) 5; 3 Oct. (MW) 4 -— Nectaring on Buddleia sp. white var. (Butterfly
Bush).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 7; 27 Sept. (MM) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush); 30 Sept. (JM)
100’s — Roosting on Rosa rugosa (Beach Rose)
Argynnis cybele (Great Spangled Fritillary) — resident.
North Scituate: 21 Sept. (IN) 1
Phyciodes tharos tharos (Pear| Crescent) — resident.
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 1 — Nectaring on Coreopsis sp. (Tickseed).
Johnston: 20 Sept. (TM) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
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Polygonia interrogationis (Question Mark) - resident and evidence of seasonal migration: westbound
movement in fall along south shore.
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
Richmond: 25 Sept. (CO) 1
Junonia coenia (Common Buckeye) - seasonal migrant, perishing with onset of winter, though anecdotal reports
along the eastern U. S. coast suggest some migratory activity southward in fall.
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
South Kingstown: 2 Oct. (IN) 1
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 3
Vanessa virginiensis (American Lady) - seasonal migrant, perishing with onset of winter.
Bristol: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Aster sp. (Aster).
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 2 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. purple var. (Butterfly Bush).
Narragansett: 25 Sept. (WM) 2; 3 Oct. (CS, MW) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Solidago sp.
(Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 7 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet
Scented Joe Pye Weed).
South Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW, SG, WM) 4 —- Nectaring on Rudbeckia hirta (Black Eyed Susan), Zinnia sp.
(Zinnia).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 2; 8 Oct. (SF) 1 — Nectaring on Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon or Montauk Daisy).
Vanessa atalanta (Red Admiral) — seasonal migrant, perishing with onset of winter.
Charlestown: 27 Sept. (JN) 1
Jamestown: 19 Sept. (DM) 2
New Shoreham (Block Island): 9 Oct. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. purple var. (Butterfly Bush).
Westerly: 8 Oct. (SF) 1 — Nectaring on Nipponanthemum nipponicum (Nippon or Montauk Daisy).
HESPERITDAE
Atalopedes campestris huron (Sachem) - resident.
Bristol: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — Nectaring on Verbena bonariensis (Purpletop Vervain)
Jamestown: 18 Sept. (SD) 1; 19 Sept. (DM) 4 -— Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Narragansett: 25 Sept. (WM) 6 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) ~50 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
North Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 7 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Eutrochium purpureum (Sweet
Scented Joe Pye Weed).
South Kingstown: 19 Sept. (MW) 1; 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 5 - Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush),
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster).
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 10 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Hylephila phyleus phyleus (Fiery Skipper) - seasonal migrant, perishing with onset of winter.
North Kingstown: 26 Sept. (CS, MW) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush).
Polites peckius (Peck’s Skipper) — resident.
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (MW) 3 — Nectaring on Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
Narragansett: 25 Sept. (WM) 2 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. (Butterfly Bush), Solidago sp.
(Goldenrod).
Lon zabulon (Zabulon Skipper) — resident.
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (MW) 1 — Nectaring on Trifolium pratense (Red Clover).
South Kingstown: 19 Sept. (MW) 1 - Nectaring on Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England
Aster).
Ancyloxypha numitor (Least Skipper) — resident.
Warwick: 1 Oct. (DM) 1
Panoquina ocola (Ocola Skipper) — seasonal migrant, perishing with onset of winter.
Narragansett: 3 Oct. (CS, MW) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush).
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GELECHIIDAE
Chionodes arenella (Arenella Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Coelostathma discopunctana (The Batman Moth)
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (DG) 1
TORTRICIDAE
Pelochrista oraria (no common name)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 26 Sept. — 4 Oct. (AH) 3
PYRALIDAE
Phycitodes reliquellum (White-edged Phycitodes)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
CRAMBIDAE
Agriphila vulgivagellus (Vagabond Crambus)
East Providence: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
Crambus praefectellus (Common Grass-veneer)
East Providence: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
Crambus leachellus (Leach’s Grass-veneer)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Diacme adipaloides (Darker Diacme)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 8 Oct. (AH) 1
Duponchelia fovealis (European Pepper Moth)
Bristol: 22 Sept. (TI) 1
Pediasia trisecta (Sod Webworm Moth)
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (DG) 1
East Providence: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
Spoladea recurvalis (Hawaiian Beet Webworm Moth)
Bristol: 18 Sept. (TI) 1
Westerly: 1 Oct. (SF) 1
SATURNITDAE
Hemileuca maia maia (Coastal Barrens Buckmoth)
Exeter: 3 Oct. (AK) 2
SPHINGIDAE
Hemaris diffinis (Snowberry Clearwing)
Newport: 25 Sept. (KT) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp., white var. (Butterfly Bush).
Manduca quinquemaculatus (Five-spotted Hawkmoth)
Westerly: 2 Oct. (SF) 1
GEOMETRIDAE
Costaconvexa centrostrigaria (Bent-line Carpet Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
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The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
Ennomos magnaria (Maple Spanworm Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 8 Oct. (AH) 1
Eupithecia miserulata (Common Eupithecia)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Glenoides texanaria (Texas Gray Moth)
Bristol: 28 Sept. (TI) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. (AH) 3 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Westerly: 20 Sept. (SF) 1
Idaea dimidiata (Single-dotted Wave)
East Providence: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
Orthonama obstipata (The Gem)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 2 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Pleuroprucha insulsaria (Common Tan Wave)
East Providence: 18 Sept. (IN) 2
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 15 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Prochoerodes lineola lineola (Large Maple Spanworm Moth)
Westerly: 8 Oct. (SF) 1
EREBIDAE
Cisseps fulvicollis (Yellow-collared Scape Moth)
Cumberland: 1 — 2 Oct. (DG) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 6 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
South Kingstown: 9 Oct. (JO) 1
Caenurgina crassiuscula (Clover Looper)
Cumberland: 1 — 2 Oct. (DG) 1
Hypena scabra (Green Cloverworm Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Hypercompe scribonia (Giant Leopard Moth)
Cumberland: 1 Oct. (DG) 1
Idia aemula (Common Idia)
Smithfield: 8 Oct. (IN) 1
Idia americalis (American Idia)
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (DG) 1
Tetanolita mynesalis (Smoky Tetanolita)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 8 Oct. (AH) 1
Zale aeruginosa (Green-dusted Zale)
Narragansett: 18 Sept. IN) 1
NOCTUIDAE
Abagrotis cupida (Cupid Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Agnorisma badinodis (Pale-banded Dart)
Barrington: 1 Oct. (RE) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 26 Sept. - 8 Oct. (AH) 24 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Agrotis gladiaria (Swordsman Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Agrotis ipsilon (Ipsilon Dart)
Cumberland: 30 Sept. — 2 Oct. (DG) 10
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 4 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
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Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart)
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (DG) 1
Agrotis vetusta (Old Man Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 14 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Anagrapha falcifera (Celery Looper)
Cumberland: 1 — 2 Oct. (DG) 1
Anicla infecta (Green Cutworm)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Apamea helva (Yellow Three-spot Moth)
Cumberland: 2 Oct. (DG) 1
Apamea lintneri (Sand Wainscot)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 20 Sept. (AH) 1
Autographa precationis (Common Looper)
Glocester: 7 Oct. (IN) 1
Smithfield: 29 Sept. (IN) 1
Westerly: 1 Oct. (SF) 1 — Nectaring on Buddleia sp. violet var. (Butterfly Bush).
Choephora fungorum (Bent-line Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 8 Oct. (AH) 1
Chrysodeixis includens (Soybean Looper)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 2 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Euxoa detersa (Rubbed Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 19 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 48 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Feltia herilis (Master’s Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 2 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Feltia jaculifera (Dingy Cutworm)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 2 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Feltia subterranea (Subterranean Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Galgula partita (The Wedgeling)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Helicoverpa zea (Corn Earworm)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 5 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Lacinipolia renigera (Bristly Cutworm)
East Providence: 26 Sept. (IN) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 10 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Leucania adjuta (Adjutant Wainscot)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Mythimna unipuncta (White-Speck Armyworm)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Noctua pronuba (Large Yellow Underwing)
East Providence: 18 Sept. (IN) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Papaipema duovata (Seaside Goldenrod Borer Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 1 Oct. — 7 Oct. (AH) 14
Papaipema speciosissima (Osmunda Borer Moth)
Westerly: 6 Oct. (SF) 1
Peridroma saucia (Pearly Underwing)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm Moth)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 49 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
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Spodoptera ornithogalli (Y ellow-striped Armyworm Moth)
Narragansett: 30 Sept. (IN) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 8 Oct. (AH) 7 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Sunira bicolorago (Bicolored Sallow)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 12 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod) and
other Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
Smithfield: 1 Oct. (IN) 1; 8 Oct. (IN) 1
Tricholita signata (Signate Quaker)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. — 7 Oct. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sempervirens (Seaside Goldenrod).
Xestia smithii (Smith’s Dart)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. (AH) 1 — Nectaring on Solidago sp. (Goldenrod).
LARVAE OBSERVED
BUTTERFLIES (all genera listed in alphabetic order):
Danaus plexippus (Monarch)
Exeter: 22 Sept. (BH) 1 — On Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed).
South Kingstown: 29 Sept. (BM) 1 — On Asclepias (=Gomphocarpus) physocarpa (Balloon Plant).
Papilio polyxenes (Black Swallowtail)
South Kingstown: 28 Sept. (IN) 1 — On Anethum graveolens (Dill)
Tiverton: 19 Sept. (EG) 3 — On Petroselinum crispum (Parsley)
Westerly: 26 Sept. (SW) 1 — On Daucus carota (Carrot)
MOTHS (all genera listed in alphabetic order):
Acharia stimulea (Saddleback Caterpillar)
Charlestown: 24 Sept. (LS) 1; 2 Oct. (HS) 1
Acronicta americana (American Dagger)
Glocester: 23 Sept. (IN) 1
Acronicta oblinata (Smeared Dagger)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 30 Sept. (IN) 1
Agrotis ipsilon (Black Cutworm)
Providence: 1 Oct. (WJ) 1
Arctia caja (Great Tiger Moth)
Middletown: 30 Sept. (BR) 1
Automeris io (Io Moth)
Middletown: 22 Sept. (KL) 1
Cameraria aceriella (Maple Leafblotch Miner)
Bristol: 10 Oct. (TI) 1 — Feeding evidence on Acer rubrum (Red Maple).
Cameraria caryaefoliella (Pecan Leaf Miner)
Johnston: 18 Sept. (IN) — Feeding evidence on Carya sp. (Hickory).
Cameraria guttifinitella (Poison Ivy Leaf Miner)
Johnston: 18 Sept. (IN) — Feeding evidence on Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy).
Chloridea virescens (Tobacco Budworm)
South Kingstown: 26 Sept. (SC) 1
Coptotriche badiiella (White Oak Leaf Miner)
Johnston: 18 Sept. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence on Quercus alba (White Oak).
Cameraria corylisella (Hazel Blotch Miner)
Johnston: 18 Sept. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence on Corylus cornuta (Beaked Hazel).
Cameraria hamameliella (Witch Hazel Leaf Miner)
Johnston: 18 Sept. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence on Hamamelis virginiana (American Witch Hazel).
Cucullia convexipennis (Brown-hooded Owlet)
South Kingstown: 26 Sept. (SG, WM) 1
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The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
Glaucolepis saccharella (no common name)
Bristol: 30 Sept. (TI) 1 — Feeding evidence on Acer rubrum (Red Maple).
Lophocampa caryae (Hickory Tussock Moth)
Narragansett: 24 Sept. (RN) 1
Panthea furcilla (Eastern Panthea)
South Kingstown: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — On Pinus sp. (Pine)
Parectopa robiniella (Locust Digitate Leaf Miner)
Bristol: 18 Sept. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence on Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust).
Phosphila turbulenta (Turbulent Phosphila)
Bristol: 3 Oct. (IN) 1
South Kingstown: 23 Sept. (AP) 1
Phyllocnistis liriodendronella (Tulip Tree Leaf Miner)
Bristol: 21 Sept. (IN) 1 - Feeding evidence on Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree).
Phyllocnistis vitifoliella (Grape Leaf Miner)
Bristol: 26 Sept. (IN) 1 — On Vitis cinerea (Graybark Grape)
Pyrrharctia isabella (Wooly Bear Caterpillar)
Middletown: 22 Sept. (KL) 1
Newport: 6 Oct. (BC) 1
New Shoreham (Block Island): 1 Oct. (AH) 1
Smithfield: 10 Oct. (IN) 1
Spilosoma virginica (Virginian Tiger Moth)
Cumberland: 1 — 2 Oct. (DG) 2
East Providence: 18 Sept. (IN) 1 — On Salix nigra (Black Willow)
Stigmella intermedia (Intermediate Leafminer)
Bristol: 9 Oct. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence.
Stigmella multispicata (Asian Elm Leafminer)
New Shoreham (Block Island): 29 Sept. (AH) 12
Stigmella rhoifoliella (no common name)
Bristol: 18 Sept. (IN) — Feeding evidence on Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy).
Stigmella tiliella (Basswood Leafminer)
Bristol: 26 Sept. (TI) 1 — Feeding evidence on Tilia americana (American Basswood).
Stigmella villosella (no common name)
Bristol: 3 Oct (IN) 1; 9 Oct. (IN) 1 — Feeding evidence on Rubus sp. (Blackberry).
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (Evergreen Bagworm Moth)
Warwick: 29 Sept. (IN) 8 — On Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Red Cedar).
PUPA/COCOON OBSERVED
Hyalophora cecropia (Cecropia Moth)
Warwick: 18 Sept. (IN) 1
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The Taxonomic Report, Vol. 10, No. 2. April 20, 2022
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