Bedford Audubon Society

Moths of the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary

Click for a pdf report and checklist of the 450 species of moths seen at the at the Hunt-Parker Sanctuary. The list includes 348 species of macro moths and 102 species of micro moths.

To many people moths are simply those pesky night-flying summertime bugs that are attracted to camp lights and outdoor floodlights. But moths are more then just bugs. Moths are an important indicator of a healthy environment. New York State is home to over 500 species of moths. Like birds and butterflies, the presence of moths indicates a healthy environment free of pesticides and other chemicals. When chemicals do enter the environment, moths along with butterflies and birds are among the first to disappear.

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image
Virgin Tiger Moth July 14, 2002	Straight-toothed Sallow November 10, 2002	Barberry Geometer June 2, 2002	Large Tolype September 21, 2002
False Crocus Geometer June 16, 2002	Yellow-banded Underwing  August 3, 2002	Doubtful Agroperina August 30, 2002	Luna Moth August 3,2003
Hog Sphinx July 13, 2002	Maple Callus Borer Moth May 25, 2002	Arched Hooktip August 17, 2002	Grape Leaffolder Moth June 29, 2002
Common Looper Moth August 15, 2003	Harris' Three-spot August 3, 2003	American Ear Moth July 19, 2003	Lemon Plagodis May 31, 2003
Red Twin-spot May 2, 2003	Jocose Sallow April 19, 2003	Dingy Cutworm Moth August 29, 2003	Pearly Wood-nymph August 3, 2003
Rose Hooktip August 30, 2003	Juniper Geometer September 17, 2003	Hummingbird Clearwing August 2, 2003	Double-toothed Prominent May 30, 2003
The Angel July 19, 2003

Over the years, there have been many studies and publications done on butterflies. In fact today, many people with a general interest in wildlife have a butterfly guide in their library. But what about moths? These night flying kin to the butterflies, who are in the same family, lepidoptera, have been largely ignored until recently. Having seen that almost all the work needed had been completed on butterflies, a few good “butterfliers” have laid down their butterfly equipment and turned their interests and field research to moths. Steve Walter is one such person. Steve is a native and current resident of Queens, NY, where he has studied moths for the past few years.

Wanting to expand his research, Steve approached Bedford Audubon, and asked for our cooperation in his project. The end result was the beginning of a multi-year research project aimed at identifying and cataloging the moths of Bedford Audubon’s Hunt-Parker Sanctuary in Katonah. BAS is anxious to know what Steve will turn up in the future.

It is expected that Steve will catalogue and identify over 350 species of moths at the Sanctuary when all of his work is done. With the project having completed its first year, Steve has already identified over 150 species! And as you can see, they’re not all little brown jobs either! Some are quite elegant and striking in color and shape.

Using black lights and a digital camera, Steve is able to photograph them without collecting a single moth. Collecting this type of data adds to the pool of knowledge on animal diversity in Westchester, the state and the country.

So the next time you shoo that pesky little moth away from your camp light, before you do, take a good look at it. It may open up a whole world of interest for you!

Click for a pdf report and checklist of the 348 species of macro moths and 102 species of micro moths seen at the at the Hunt Sanctuary

Photos Courtesy of and Copyright © by Steve Walter
www.hmana.org/mulberry   swalter@nyc.rr.com

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