Excellent Mothing in Mass. .

[Mothman617]

I had set up a blacklight and sheets in a remote area in Essex Co. Mass. the
other night. I had also sugared some trees in hope of finding a few
Catocala. Catocala came indeed, not only to the sugar but to the blacklight
with very impressive numbers. The weather conditions were superb. No moon,
warm & muggy and surrounded by big thunderstorms. Late July is the only time
of year when you can collect Catocala, Sphingidae and Saturnids all at once.
Below is a list of some of the more noteworthy species seen.

Catocala ilia - 35 - 40 individuals
C. praeclara - 2
C. mira - 12
C. relicta - 1
C. unijuga - 3
C. epione - 9
Antherea polyphemus - 20, mostly males
Actias luna - fml (unusually late) - 1
Callosamia angulifera - 1 (fml)
Citheronia regalis - 4 (males)
Eacles imperialis - 12 (all males)
Anisota rubicunda - 9
Ceratomia undulosa - 7
C. amyntor - 2
Manduca sexta - 2
Manduca jasminearum - 1
Smerinthus exacaecata - 15
S. myops - 4
S. astylus - 6
Darapsa pholus - 2
Eumorpha pandora - 1
Pachysphinx modesta - 3
Sphinx kalmiae - 1
Lapara bombycoides - 9
+ many nice Arctiidae

This has been a big year for A. polyphemus, E. imperialis and many
Sphingidae. This was an unusually big night, I have not seen a collecting
night like this for many years. And you thought Bruce Walsh and all those
guys in S.E. Arizona were having all the fun.

- M. Arey