This page isn’t exclusively about Wellesley, but rather is a place for me to document insects and other creatures (reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, mammals) I come across in Wellesley and beyond. I’ve done my best to ID them, but feel free to reach out if you see one misidentified (thanks).

Feb. 2025

We’ve been keeping an eye out for this invasive insect. Here’s what to do if you see a Spotted Lanternfly.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has developed a series of educational videos to help explain to the public what impacts this pest is expected to have, how to identify it, how to check your vehicles to avoid spreading it, and how to manage this pest if it is on your property. Click the link here to see the videos and learn how you can help the Town manage this invasive pest.

2023

Katydid in Wellesley, October 2023

Mud dauber nest, October 2023

Bees, without the birds

2021

Elm Sawfly, found atop Mount Eisenhower in New Hampshire. Looks like a wasp, harmless to humans.

Cicada, Washington DC, during the Brood X season.

2020

Great black wasp, July, Wellesley

green darner dragonfly — Green darner dragonfly, July, Wellesley

2019

2018

Late 2017 Wellesley dump find: 1,000-piece beetle puzzle (minus a few pieces)

2017, summer, Wellesley, clearwing moth (hummingbird moth)

2017, summer, Wellesley, Tiger Swallowtail butterfly

2017, summer, Wellfleet, Spiny Oak Slug moth (nice green markings on wings)

2017 , summer, Wellesley, Red-Headed Bush Cricket

2017, summer, Wellesley, on surface of Charles River in rough condition, Polyphemus Moth (silk moth)

2017, summer, Wellesley, Cicada Killer

2017, summer, Wellesley, Flower Longhorn Beetle

2017, summer, Wellesley, Banded Longhorn Flower Beetle

2017, summer, Wellesley, Goldenrod Leaf Miner

2017, summer, Wellesley, Transverse Flower Fly (or possibly a Hoverfly, of the Syrphid Eristalis variety). They mimic bees, but are not bees.

Read this cool book called The Fly Trap on Hoverflies in 2016, could be of interest whether you’re a bug lover or not.
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2017, summer, Wellesley, Oriental Beetles

Oriental beetles, Wellesley, July — They’re invasive, with the larva going for your grass, the adults for your flowers

2017, summer, Wellesley, firefly/lightning bug

2017, summer, Wellesley garden, Sycamore Assassin Bug

2017, summer, Wellesley, near Charles River, Widow Skimmer dragonfly (female)

2017, summer, Wellesley, night, Plume Moth

2017, summer, Wellesley, Boxwood Leaftier Moth

2017, summer, Wellesley, near Charles River, possibly Autumn pondhawk dragonfly (?)

2017, summer, Wellesley Schofield school, Painted Lady butterfly

2017, summer, Wellesley, near Charles River, River Bluet (damselfly)

2017, summer, Wellesley, near high school, Northeastern Pine Sawyer (you don’t really want them messing with your pine trees, logs)

2017, summer, Wellesley, found on a hammock, Earwigs

2017, summer, Wellesley, Eastern Pondhawk (female)

2017, summer, Wellesley, Eastern Pondhawk (male)

2016, fall: Squash bug

2016, September: Great Spangled Fritillary

This butterfly seems to be a particularly big fan of zinnias. And the Great Spangled Fritillary even has its own song.

2016, July: Blinded Sphinx Moth

Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecatus) moth , July 2016

This beauty flew right onto Mrs. Swellesley’s previously clean white shirt. We kinda wished we’d found one of their caterpillars, too, since they’re pretty cool looking.

2016, June: Stag Beetle

This Stag Beetle was, ironically, found outside Wellesley College's Clapp Library. — This Stag Beetle was, ironically, found outside Wellesley College’s Clapp Library.

2016, June: Millipede

Wellesley millipede, Spring 2016 — We found this millipede on the Lake Waban path. He measured in at a healthy 2.5″.

moth august wellesley 2015 — Click here to find out more about the Sharp-Angled Carpet Moth (Euphyia intermediata)

Prochoerodes lineola – Large Maple Spanworm Moth wellesley august 2015 — Click here to find out more about the Large Maple Spanworth Moth (Prochoerodes lineola)

2014: Year in bugs and critters

This will no doubt be my favorite find of the year: A Luna Moth at a gas station in New Hampshire.

This Waved Sphinx Moth found in New Hampshire is bigger than it looks. Should have put a penny next to it for perspective. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratomia_undulosa

A big old Gartner Snake found in Wellesley, July 2014.

Click beetle found on front door at night in early June, temp in 80s. These guys are fun to play with, flip over when put on their back. Not that that’s very nice to do to them.

Pearly Wood Nymph found in yard in June.

I believe this is a birch sawfly caterpillar. They do a real number on birch trees. They then convert into wasp-like insects that don’t sting or eat your trees.