Purpose
Project Silkmoth is a volunteer-based survey documenting the presence of Giant Silkmoths (family Saturniidae) in northern New York State. Sightings and photographs of silkmoths submitted by volunteers will be incorporated into a sightings database and used to create occurrence maps for each species. The database will be a source of information about silkmoth species that are thought to be declining in the northeastern U. S. and can serve as a baseline for future studies on the geographic distributions of these moths. The data will become part of the Adirondack All-Taxa Biodiversity Inventory database.
Target geographic area
Sightings will be accepted from all of northern New York State. On the map below, ‘northern New York’ would be considered anywhere north of a line from Oswego to Utica to Saratoga Springs.
Dates and Participation
- Active survey period: May 15, 2010 – July 30, 2010
- Each sighting must be submitted on a sightings form to insure accurate date, location and habitat information
- Photos will be required for certain species
- Sightings forms from the active period will be accepted through September 1, 2010
Sightings form with directions
Click here to see locations of reported sightings and which moths are being seen
Where to look for the moths
Field guides
Photos of adults of all 12 species can be found in “Caterpillars of Eastern North America” by D. Wagner.
The “National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders” (Milne & Milne) has photos of all but the following 4 species; Columbia, Tuliptree and the two Oakworms.
The “Peterson Field Guide to Insects: America north of Mexico” (Borror & White) has color drawings of Polyphemus, Cecropia, Luna, Io and Regal Moths.
The “Field Guide to the Moths of Eastern North America” (Covell) has photos of all 12 species but this older guide may be difficult to find in stores.
Contact Information
Project Brochure PDF
Sponsors:
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Target species – Moth species generally expected to be widespread make up the top half of this list. Species with limited distributions or southerly distributions make up the bottom half of the list. Click on the common name for identification and life history information. |
