Author Archives: hpahaska

The unseasonably warm late season weather has resulted in an unusual number of sightings of southern species basking in the warmth of Nebraska’s tropical weather. Several were county records, the first being a Queen from Ponca State Park (Dixon Co.) photographed on September 20 by Brett Anderson. Then on October 13 Colleen Childers found aContinue reading “It’s Not Over Yet!!”

Three more moths have been added to Nebraska’s moth list. On September 12 Eli Weber attracted a Thelma’s Agonopterix to lights at Elmwood Park in Omaha. This moth has been found in the eastern United States with central Iowa being the previous westernmost record. It’s larval hostplants are unknown. Then on September 22 Eli wasContinue reading “More Moths New to Nebraska”

Steve Spomer (who judges insect collections at the state fair) forwarded me the following new records from the fair held earlier this month. Unfortunately, most of these records come to me with incomplete data, be it dates or specific localities. So, while almost certainly valid, they are recorded on our maps with a lighter shadeContinue reading “4-H Records from the State Fair”

Back in August (13th) Eli Weber was camping at Indian Cave State Park in Richardson County when a White M Hairstreak came to visit him, perching on his tent. This is the fifth record and third locality for this butterfly in the state, the other two being in Bellevue and Lincoln. Three records are fromContinue reading “Another White M Hairstreak”

On July 14-16 Eli Weber and Tony Palmer set up lights at Neale Woods (which straddles Douglas and Washington Counties) to see what insects might be afoot. Their efforts resulted in finding six moths previously unreported from the state. They found a Hollow-spotted Plagodis whose larvae feed on various hardwoods. This is the westernmost USContinue reading “Six Moths New to Nebraska”

Back in July (10th) Dianne Miller found an Achemon Sphinx in Genoa. Larva of this attractive moth feed on Grapevine (Vitis) which grows wild statewide. The moth is also found statewide but is recorded from only a third of the counties. So, citizen science opportunities abound. Great job Dianne!

Master Naturalist Colin Croft regularly sets up lights and bait at night in the Wildcat Hills to see what insects he might attract. On July 21 a Joined Underwing was attracted to his bait. Larvae of this species feed on cottonwoods and willows and while it is widespread across the state its habitat becomes scarcerContinue reading “Two Moths New to Scotts Bluff County”

On June 30 six intrepid observers (Chris Helzer, Noelle Schuman, Kojo Baidoo, Eric Strehlow, Jen Corman and Neil Dankert) set out on the 38th annual Niobrara Valley Preserve Butterfly Count. The weather started out a little on the cool side (temps in the low 70s) when the count began at 9:45 am but was idealContinue reading “2025 Niobrara Valley Preserve Butterfly Count”

This year’s Niobrara Valley Preserve Butterfly Count was held June 30. Chris Helzer, Eric Strehlow, Mark Brogie, his wife Ellen and myself showed up a day early to check out the local nightlife. Mark and Eric set up their sheets and mercury vapor lights and Eric and I drove around and set up about 20Continue reading “Mothapaloosa”

Back on in mid-June (13th) Steve Spomer stopped by Victoria Springs SRA where he found three Hobomok Skippers (previously unreported in Custer County). While not uber-rare they are uncommon in central Nebraska. Good find Steve!! With the help of Mark Brogie I’ve been updating our NE Moth spreadsheet. Watch for posts in the near futureContinue reading “Hobomok Skipper in Custer County”