12 12 Adult Luna Moth (Actias Luna) Luna Moth

Get to know New Hampshire’s diverse moths, by from massive lunas to exquisite micro-species Rick Van de Poll

rawling through the leaf litter, a Cpatch of bright green catches our eyes. “Cool!” cries David, one of my eighth grade explorers. There, before us, is one of the largest of our caterpillars, the Polyphemus moth. Over three inches in length and nearly an inch thick, this ribbed, striped and armed larva stands out among the crispy brown leaves as it searches for a place to pupate. In a matter of two weeks, this soft green mass of “Jello-on-legs” will turn into a Polyphemus moth caterpillar dark brown, hard, segmented pupa that will LEMMO © GERRY over-winter just below the leaves. With wings that spans over six inches. You can this is one of the largest group of insects any luck, the pupa will begin wriggling find two other species just as large in New in the world, representing over 10% of all in earnest in late May, triggered by full England – the Cecropia and Luna moths. known species! Roughly 90% are moths, daylight, warm temperatures and changing I explain that Lepidoptera, which trans- which can generally be distinguished from soil chemistry. By the first or second week lates to “scaled winged,” characterizes an butterflies by their typically nocturnal habit, of June, it will emerge from the soil on six order of insects that include both moths and more subdued colors, and the absence of a legs, crawl up on a log, and unfurl a set of butterflies. At over 180,000 named species, club at the tip of their antennae.

Adult luna moth © ROGER IRWIN (Actias luna) July / August 2017 13 Adult Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

TO After all the “oohs” and “ahhs” D D

T A U die down, I point to a picture of L M

A N

the adult Polyphemus moth on /

E my phone and pass it around to the A M

T I group. M

E . C O “That’s what happens if all things go M right,” I say. “And here’s what happens if they have opened their they don’t!” linen closet to the flutter- I then pull up a picture of Cordyceps ings of the common clothes moth militaris, a bright orange fungus that is (Tineola bisselliella) or cleaned out a box emerging from the pupa, which is now of cereal, now powdered by the European riddled with white mycelium. The moth has grain moth (Nemapogon granella). Many protein-rich food sources for their been attacked and killed by this deadly, people remember the widespread outbreak survival. Of particular importance is the insect-eating mushroom. Somewhere of the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) in larval stage of Geometers, or “inchworm along its path from larva to pupa, the the 1980s, the effects of which can still be moths,” which feed gleaning birds such as Polyphemus has brushed up against a spore seen in the oak woods of today. Or perhaps warblers, vireos, tanagers and creepers. of this fungus, or inadvertently nestled you have had your tomatoes, cabbages, down in a place where the mycelium was or fruit trees devastated by hornworms Silk, Sphinx, Tiger and More already growing. Once contact was made, (a sphinx moth larva), loopers (a noctuid There are at least 12 families of it was all chemistry, and the workings of moth larva), or coddling moth (Cydia the so-called “macro-moths” and over millions of years of co-evolution. The pomonella), respectively. 36 families of “micro-moths” in the fungus enters the pupal chamber, grows Yet moths are one of the most important Northeast. How “macros” are separated into the tissue and completely consumes pollinators of our Northeastern woods. from “micros” is a matter of opinion. it, just in time to emerge in late summer as Between the various groups, their flight Macros include the silk moths (Saturnidae an erect, saber-like fruit body, spreading period extends nearly year-round, espe- or saturnids), sphinx moths (Sphingidae), spores upon its next unsuspecting victim. cially during that critical period in late tiger moths (Arctiidae), owlet moths “Not to worry,” I say, “Cordyceps is winter when tree flowers are just begin- (Noctuidae), geometer or inchworm completely harmless to humans…so far, ning to burst open. Maple sugar harvesters moths (Geometridae) and prominents I think…” I give David an inquisitive know this if they are still using buckets, as (Notodontidae). These are some of our glance. “In fact, they have been used in the appearance of fluttering moths floating largest and most well-known moths, which Chinese medicine for centuries as an in their sap buckets typically spells the end in general, have one or two broods per energy booster, anti-cancer drug and of the season. year and can be found flying from April aphrodisiac.” The kids, of course, giggle. Moths will pollinate the flowers of to October. trees, shrubs and forbs, many of which The “micros” include the scores of Ecologically Important include important crops such as fruit trees, tiny leafroller moths (Oecophoridae), We have entered the world of moths, blueberries and a variety of garden vege- the well-camouflaged leaf-miner moths one of the most widespread and ecologi- tables. Some actually eat dead leaves and (Gelechiidae), the diurnal totricids cally important group of insects in the humus, thereby helping break down the (Tortricidae), the hard-to-see-when-at- world – and one of the most misunder- leaf litter and return nutrients to the soil. rest grass-veneer moths (Crambidae), and stood. Over 11,000 species are known to All are fair game for the habitat-specializing pyralid moths occur in North America, with roughly bats, birds and wasps (Pyralidae). Nearly half of the known 2,000 species in New Hampshire. and provide a critical, species are pyralids, many of which are no Most people think of bigger than the tip of a pencil yet exqui- moths as destructive sitely patterned and colorful. little pests slightly Among the thousands of moths in New better than mosqui- Ornate tiger moth Hampshire, a few are rare. The N.H. Wildlife toes (since they don’t (Grammia ornata) Action Plan describes these unusual species bite), especially after and their habitats. At the top of the list are

LEMMO Y RR 14 July / August 2017 © GE Moths, like this Virginia ctenucha, are not only beautiful, but also play an important role Our Northeastern as pollinators . forest birds eat millions of caterpillars every day when they’re in season. Over the years, this has brought about some remarkable adaptations in moths, such as © GERRY LEMMO © GERRY cryptic coloration and shape.

A Polyphemus © K. QUINN FERRIS / DREAMSTIME.COM cocoon has fallen victim to the deadly Cordyceps

The Eastern Grass-veneer Moth (Crambus laqueatellus) is one of New Hampshire’s tiny “micro moths.” HORNWORMS

ornworms are common garden pests that defoliate tomatoes, Hbeans and other vegetables. Named for the “horn” on the posterior end of the caterpillar, they all belong to the sphinx family of moths, or Sphingidae. Although they can be quite destructive, their numbers are usually offset in mid-summer by their primary parasite, braconid wasps.

Adult hornworm © RICK VAN DE POLL © RICK VAN

July / August 2017 15 more than two dozen moth species found in wind, and the moths will come. A Syrupy Invitation our pine barrens. These rare moths live their For my eighth graders, seeing that ap moths are named for their entire life cycle in these unique, fire-prone Polyphemus crawling around the forest habitats, found only in the Ossipee Lake floor was not enough. They wanted more. Sunwelcome habit of drinking the region and east Concord. They are disap- I sent them back to the woods to look for sugary sap from maple trees, mostly inside pearing because of development and fire more of those wriggling green masses, buckets. They are all over-wintering adults prevention – natural or controlled burns are on hands and knees. I told them about that have tucked themselves inside the bark necessary to maintain the shrubby habitat the upcoming bio-blitz, where we would of trees and, like frogs, used their blood these moths need. be looking for moths all night, and the glycol levels to avoid freezing. Discover Life web site that describes how Moth Watching to do it (www.discoverlife.org/moth/ Here’s a neat trick to find out if sap “They’re simply beautiful!” says Deb methods.html). They were soon off and moths are out and Lievens, author, photographer and all- running, eager to learn all they could about about: Mix equal around naturalist from Londonderry. “I can’t New Hampshire’s magical moths. parts of molasses, believe how accessible moths are, hundreds old banana mash, of them visible at your back porch. With and stale beer; paint digital photography, exceptional websites onto tree bark at and an enterprising entomological group Rick Van de Poll is forming in the Northeast, moths make for an accomplished eye level outside an incredibly fun hobby!” naturalist, your house using a Indeed, moths can be appreciated by teacher, and basting brush (a 6 everyone. A simple porch light with a environmental or 12-inch strip will reasonably smooth and dark background scientist with do); go back out will attract dozens of species from the over 40 years at twilight or early neighborhood. For an additional, but of experience modest expense, a black light can be poking around the evening and see purchased in a hardware store and set up woods, wetlands who’s drinking the in the backyard or woods nearby. Pick and fields of New syrupy slop! DE POLL © RICK VAN

Moth-watching Activities

March-April – Mix up a batch July-August – Bring a black light or two to the edge of Y-2.0 CC-B ND - YN KY © F of sap moth bait (see recipe the woods. Hang a light-colored sheet behind the light above) and paint a few trees in and watch it fill with moths (and other light-attracted Comstock’s your yard; come back just after twilight and see insects). Monitor the moth trap through the night. While swallow what shows up. Bring along a flashlight and cam- you’re waiting, lay a sheet beneath a shrub or other low (Feralia Comstocki ) era to record your finds! vegetation and gently beat the branches above to see what kind of caterpillars fall out. May-June – Turn on a porch light just before dusk; make sure the background is fairly dark, September-October – so your camera doesn’t darken the Check goldenrods and asters image too much. Look for for day-flying pollinators like the giant saturnids tiger moths and flower moths in open canopy (Schinia spp.); check your forests and porch or black lights for the

riparian woods. rafts of fall geometers.

16 July / August 2017