The magnitude of this problem can be appreciated when one realizes that there are at least 200 Catocala species worldwide. The genus is predominantly North Temperate (Holarctic), and its metropolis is clearly North America (Nearctic). McDunnough (1938) lists 104 North American species (and 136 additional named varieties), while some 80 to 90 species are known from Europe and Asia (Palearctic) (Seitz, 1914). Even in the restricted area covered in the present book (North America east of the Mississippi River), there are at least 71 Catocala species and nearly 100 more named varieties.
Such a complex assemblage poses substantial difficulties in terms of the identification of its members. A primary aim of the present chapter is to provide a basis for the identification of most of the eastern Catocala. This will be accomplished by means of color-plates of specimens and a series of species accounts.
Since the color-plates will provide the initial guide to identification, some remarks concerning them are appropriate. First, most Catocala exhibit considerable variation and no one specimen will be entirely representative of its species. The sex of a specimen is a factor that must be considered, for females are often more boldly and heavily marked than males (fig. 2.1D). Specimens may also change with age. In particular, older specimens may fade or take on a brownish cast that is not characteristic of fresh specimens. Such sources of variation and many others (fig. 2.1), should dictate some caution in using the plates as a sole basis for identification. They are best used in conjunction with the species accounts, where critical details regarding similar species, ranges, seasons, and status may be found.
The species accounts, in addition to assisting in identification, provide considerable information about each species in a reasonably orderly fashion. Each includes the following sections: description, similar species, range, status, season, larval foodplants, and notes. A few remarks about the material in each of these sections follows.
Description. The moth and its most conspicuous varieties are briefly described, with emphasis on its consistent and distinctive features. The description includes terms and abbreviations which refer to various parts and markings of the wings, as depicted in Fig. 2.2. The size (distance in mm. across the spread forewings) is included, as are references to color illustrations of the species in Holland's Moth Book (H) and Barnes & McDunnough's Illustrations of the North American Species of the Genus CatocaIa (B & Mc).
Similar species. This section lists other species or varieties with which the species under consideration is most easily confused, and indicates the most reliable distinguishing characteristics.
Range. The geographic range over which the species is known to occur is given in terms of the north and south limits of distribution at the eastern edge of the range, followed by the western limit (if east of the Mississippi River). It should be noted that Catocala ranges are difficult to specify, as individuals may wander long distances, and changing climatic conditions may be accompanied by range extensions and contractions over the years.
Status. The present abundance of the species over its range is given, insofar as it can be determined from collectors and collections, and always bearing in mind that the size of Catocala populations may vary widely from year to year.
Season. An indication of the usual time of appearance of the adults is given, usually expressed as "early," "mid-season," or "late," with reference to the entire Catocala season. For species taken in numbers in southern New England (based on records of Hessel and Sargent, 1961-1973), the median and extreme dates of capture are given. These dates may be used as indicators of the relative seasonal occurrence of various species.
Larval foodplants. The plants upon which the larvae are known to feed are indicated, i.e., plants on which successful development to the adult stage has been reported. Plants upon which larvae have been found, but not reared, are not included. No life history data are reported, since these can be found in literature referred to by H. M. Tietz (1972).
Notes. Studies and observations on the species, particularly those relating to adult behavior, are briefly noted.
The species are considered according to their arrangement in the latest check-list of North American moths (McDunnough, 1938). The genus will undoubtedly undergo a taxonomic revision in due course, and this almost certainly will result in considerable rearrangement of the species. But it seems most prudent to use a familiar arrangement at the present time, leaving any changes to competent systematists with a comprehensive overview of the genus.
Throughout these species accounts I have drawn heavily on the observations
of others. My debt to these individuals is great, and I have attempted
to give credit to them (initials in parentheses) at appropriate points
in the text. Among the individuals so credited are: J. Bauer, A. E. Brower,
R. B. Dominick, D.C. Ferguson, J. G. Franclemont, S. A. Hessel, R. R. Keiper,
C. G. Kellogg, W. A. Miller, J. Muller, M. C. Nielson, C. L. Remington,
and D. F. Schweitzer.
Description. FW in male rather uniform gray-brown; first quarter of pm line often whitish, forming shallow arc from costa; often with heavy black streak between sub-reniform and pm line. Underside FW with cream, not orange, pm band. HW deep orange with black bands. Underside HW with orange ground on lower half, cream on upper haft. Female, with dark shadings on FW from am line through subreniform and reniform area, sometimes extending along costa, is "hinda" French. Form with very dark, contrasting area between am and pm lines of FW is "scintillans" Grote. Aberration with yellow HW (perhaps produced by rearing under hot, dry conditions) is "flavidalis" Grote. 55-65 mm. H 33:9 ("scintillans"), 10 (female as "hinda"), 13. B & Mc 7: 9, 10, 11 ("scintillans").
Similar species. Other species having rich brown FW cast (e.g., muliercula, badia, piatrix) usually have yellow-orange HW ground. May be occasionally confused with some ilia, which usually have much redder HW ground.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario) to Florida and west throughout area, where foodplant occurs. Rare to the NE in this range, absent from Maine (AEB).
Status. Uncommon to common in vicinity of foodplant, rare elsewhere.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 22 August; 31 July-20 September.)
Larval foodplants. Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 3 to 9 ft. above ground, and quite often under leaves of Poison Ivy or Virginia Creeper (MCN).
Description. FW dark, rather uniform brown-gray; some lightening from am line to near reniform along costa, and extending inward to include the usually open sub-reniform; am line with characteristic "dip" above inner margin. HW orange (not reddish) with black bands and dark basal hairs. Underside largely fuscous and pale ochre-orange, with black median band on both FW and HW. 70-80 mm. H 36: 6. B & Mc 6: 2, 3 (pale, western specimen is "dionyza" H. Edwards).
Similar species. See innubens. Some dark neogama may be similar, but pm orange band on HW much narrower, and subreniform of FW usually closed, in that case. C. ilia "confusa" has a reddish HW ground.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine (rare) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Uncommon to common throughout most of range; more common in and near cities (where hickories and walnuts planted) to the north.
Season. Late. (Southern New England: 1 September; 20 August, 9 September.)
Larval foodplants. Walnuts (Juglans) and hickories (Carya), apparently preferring Black Walnut (J. nigra).
Notes. Full-grown larvae may be found resting in grass at base of foodplant (SAH).
Description. FW dull gray, with slight brownish shading along the single, prominent am and pm lines; some darkening between subreniform-reniform area and pm line. HW yellow-orange with black bands; pm orange band narrow and very irregular ("zigzag"). The name "sorsconi" Barnes & Benjamin is usually applied to northern specimens (i.e., north of Gulf States) which have more black, and a more zigzag pm band on HW. 60-70 mm. H 34: 3. B & Mc 7: 7.
Similar species. HW pattern will distinguish from any vaguely similar species (e.g., coelebs , delilah).
Range. Long Island, New York to Florida and west throughout area. (One of the types of "sorsconi" was labelled Maine.)
Status. Generally rare to NE; uncommon to common elsewhere.
Season. Early to mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) (AEB).
Notes. Larvae seem to prefer small trees, and may rest on foodplant when full-grown (AEB, JGF, SAH).
Description. FW blackish-gray, with prominent brown shading along am and pm lines; st whitish and contrasting. HW solid black with pure white fringe (no barring). Underside HW blackish, with only trace of pm white band toward costa (fig. 2.4C). Some near-melanic individuals occur, with no trace of whitish on FW. 55-65 mm. H 31: 3. B & Mc l: 16.
Similar species. The pure white HW fringe is quite distinctive.
Range. Maine and southern Canada (Ontario) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally common to abundant.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 1 August; 9 July-26 September.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya). Reared on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata) (TDS).
Notes. Moth very active; often found resting low on stumps, trunks, and in woodpiles. Also rests under eaves of buildings. When disturbed, may fly to ground. Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW deep, rich brown; quite uniform, with slight darkening within am line and in patches along outer margin (particularly below apex). HW yellow-orange with black bands; outer band very broad, and inner band set in considerably; fringe fuscous except at apex. The aberration "peramans" Hulst has HW almost entirely black. 60-70 mm. H 32: 11. B & Mc 7: 24.
Similar species. See innubens. The arrangement of bands on HW will distinguish from anything similar.
Range. Connecticut to Florida, and thence west to Texas.
Status. Uncommon to common in most places with foodplant.
Season. Early to rather late (long season).
Larval foodplant. Wax Myrtle (Bayberry) (Myrica cerifera ).
Notes. Rests as full-grown larva on foodplant (SAH).
Description. FW black, with velvety black lines, and brownish shadings (especially outside pm line). HW orange-yellow with black bands; fringe infuscated as in muliercula. Underside light orange and fuscous-black on both FW and HW. A minor variant, with whitish subreniform, is "multoconspicua" Reiff. 45-55 mm. H 32: 8. B & Mc 7: 15·
Similar species. Black FW distinguishes from all but extreme melanics of other species, and these usually show considerable extension of black on HW.
Range. Southern Canada (Nova Scotia) to mid-Atlantic states; chiefly along coast, but extending west through area with foodplant.
Status. Common to abundant along coast, becoming uncommon to rare and sporadic elsewhere.
Season. Early to mid-season, with a few late individuals (sometimes these surprisingly fresh; perhaps a partial second brood). (Southern New England: 1 August; 11 July-26 September.)
Larval foodplant. Sweet-fern (Comptonia peregrina).
Notes. Rests as full-grown larva on foodplant. Moths may be flushed from sweet-fern patches (perhaps females), but also found resting head-down on tree trunks; prefer dark backgrounds in experimental tests (Sargent 1966, 1968, 1969 a).
Description. FW gray, with brown within am line and along pm line. HW orange-yellow with rather even black bands. 50-60 mm. H 32: 18. B & Mc 7: 8.
Similar species. FW somewhat similar to consors, but pm orange band of HW narrow and zigzag in that species. The gray ground between am and pm lines of FW should distinguish from badia (but see "phoebe").
Range. Northern; southern Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario), Maine, New Hampshire, and west to Wisconsin; south-ward to Adirondacks in New York. Status. Very local; generally rare. Season. Early to mid-season.
Larval foodplant. Sweet Gale (Myrica gale).
Description. FW buff-brown, with deeper brown in basal area and within pm line (sometimes nearly filling area between am and pm lines); contrastingly paler beyond pm line; lines faint, barely traceable. HW yellow-orange with black bands; often with terminal yellow-orange line at base of fringe. Specimens from New Hampshire may appear transitional to coelebs, having the sharp bend of upper part of pm area and the more distinct lines of that species; this is "phoebe" H. Edwards. 50-60 mm. H 32: 10. B & Mc 7: 16.
Similar species. See muliercula and coelebs. Neither of these species has the pm boundary area cutting straight across the FW.
Range. Largely coastal, from Portland, Maine, to New Jersey.
Status. May be very common to abundant along coast, where foodplant abounds; less and less common inland.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 1 August; 19 July-4 September.) (A late specimen taken on 7 October 1972 at Harwichport, Mass., was very fresh, raising the question, as with antinympha, of a partial second brood.)
Larval foodplant. Wax Myrtle (Barberry) (Myrica cerifera ).
Notes. May be flushed from foodplant patches, and rests on ground in at least some instances.
Description. FW light gray, with slightly contrasting thin black lines, and whitish shadings. Usually with fairly prominent anal dash. Female, more mottled, and with prominent basal dash, is "basalis" Grote. (Some males may also show this basal dash.) HW orange with black bands, and dark brown basal hairs. Underside light orange, with mostly blackish, strongly contrasting bands. A melanic specimen, "denussa" Ehrman, may be of this species, though most authorities feel it is a melanic of palaeogama. However, melanics of habilis have been reared by AEB. An aberration with mostly black HW is described as "depressans" in chapter five. 55-65 mm. H 33: 11, 12 (female as "basalis"). B & Mc 7: 5.
Similar species. Closest to serena, but that species with "smoother" FW, less dentate lines; also prominent, contrastingly brownish collar on thorax; and much more blackish on underside.
Range. Southern Canada (Quebec, Ontario), Maine (rare) to North Carolina, and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to common, but occasionally abundant.
Season. Late. (Southern New England: 12 September; 11 August-21 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) and walnuts (]uglans). Reared on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 3 to 8 ft. above ground; often on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata), and sometimes partially hidden under "shags" (MCN, TDS).
Description. FW dull gray, with little contrast; thin black lines, less dentate than in most species; subreniform broadly open. Collar on thorax brownish and contrasting. HW dull yellow-orange with black bands. Underside dull cream-orange with broad blackish bands; dusky over-all appearance. 50-60 mm. H 33: 14. B & Mc 7: 6.
Similar species. See habilis.
Range. Southern Massachusetts to North Carolina and west throughout area. May have ranged further north in the past and may presently be moving northward again (see Barnes & McDunnough [1918] and Sargent & Hessel [1970]).
Status. Uncommon to common. Apparently subject to long-term fluctuations in abundance.
Season. Mid-season to late (very long season). (Southern New England: 11 August; 18 July-6 October.)
Larval foodplants. Presumably hickories (Carya) and walnuts (Juglans).
Notes. Moth rests head-down, often on hickories (WAM).
Description. FW light gray, much like habilis; but less contrast, and without prominent anal dash. Female, slightly more mottled, and with weak basal dash, is "cur-vata" French. HW black with contrasting white fringe. Underside boldly patterned in black and white, bands prominent (fig. 2.4E). Specimens with heavy blackish shading, running obliquely across FW, are "missouriensis" Schwartz; these are usually larger individuals, and may represent a distinct species (AEB). 60-70 mm. H 31: 7. B &Mc 2:9, 10.
Similar species. Contrasting white fringe of HW will distinguish from most similar species (e.g., angusi). Some flebilis may be similar to "missouriensis," but former is generally smaller, with a much narrower pm white band on HW underside, and much less distinct white bands on FW underside.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), New Hampshire to West Virginia and Alabama, and west throughout area; "missouriensis" seems much more restricted (Pennsylvania to Florida and westward).
Status. Generally rare, especially to the north.
Season. Late. Perhaps the latest species in most areas.
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya), and perhaps walnuts (Juglans). Rearings especially important, particularly to determine the status of "missouriensis."
Description. FW uniform light gray, with only slight darkening about reniform and beneath anal dash. HW black; with dusky fringe, hardly contrasting. Underside, except for white basal areas, mostly blackish; bands indistinct (fig. 2.4D). 45-50 mm. H 32: 2. B & Mc l: 15.
Similar species. Small size distinguishes from most other black-winged species, except miranda (which has distinct, though not prominent, white HW apex, and is entirely dusky beneath without white basal area) and andromedae (which is shaded blackish on inner FW margin, and has prominent white HW apex).
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), New Hampshire to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 5 August; 21 July-26 September.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) and walnuts (Juglans).
Notes. Seems to be a late flyer, taken more frequently in all-night light-traps than at bait or lights before l:00 A.M. (see Appendix One). Moth rests head-down, often on hickories.
Description. FW gray; shaded with brown, particularly in reniform; with heavy blackish shade running obliquely from basal dash to outer margin, just beneath apex (interrupted only near subreniform). HW black, with white fringe. 55-65 mm. H 32:5 (as carolina, an atypical specimen). B & Mc 2: 12.
Similar species. See robinsoni "missouriensis." The HW fringe is blackish in angusi "lucetta."
Range. Massachusetts to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to rare.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 30 August; 2 August-9 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) (AEB). Notes. Like judith, seems to be a late flyer (see Appendix One), and may therefore be considered very rare by collectors whose efforts terminate before the early-morning hours.
Description. FW light gray, generally similar to habilis. Female, more mottled, and with prominent basal dash, is "edna" Beutenmüller. HW black, with mostly blackish fringe. Underside like flebilis. In form "lucetta" French, there is a heavy blackish shade running obliquely across FW (as in flebilis and "missouriensis." There is also a deep brown-black melanic form (B & Mc 2: 16). 60-70 mm. H 31: 11 "lucetta" as flebilis), 13. B & Mc 2: 13, 14 (female as form "edna"), 15 ("lucetta"), 16 (melanic).
Similar species. The blackish HW fringe will distinguish from most similar species. Some melanic angusi may approach residua, but underside differences (see residua) should permit distinction. The underside of insolabilis is always totally distinctive.
Range. Massachusetts to Georgia, and west and south throughout area. At present apparently very rare or absent in northern parts of range (recorded in Massachusetts and Connecticut in mid-1920s).
Status. Apparently subject to long-term fluctuations in abundance. Was widespread and common in 1890s and early decades of nineteenth century, but now rare or absent in the north, and generally uncommon in the south.
Season. Mid-season to late.
Larval foodpIants. Hickories (Carya). Pecan (Carya illinoensis) in Texas (AEB).
Description. FW dull gray, much like residua, but generally even more uniform (i.e., with less contrastingly whitish st line; and usually without oblique dark streak extending to outer margin, just below apex, from near pm line). HW black, with largely whitish fringe. 60-70 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 2:17.
Similar species. Whitish HW fringe will usually distinguish from residua. These two species are easily separable in New England, but may intergrade to a greater extent to the south and west (see Barnes & McDunnough, 1918).
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Massachusetts to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon. Almost always less common than residua.
Season. Late. (Southern New England: 6 September; 8 August-16 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) and walnuts (Juglans). Reared on Pignut Hickory (C. glabra) (SAH) and Black Walnut (J. nigra) (DFS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 3 to 8 ft. above ground; often on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata), and sometimes partially or completely hidden under "shags" (WAM, MCN).
Description. FW dull gray, like obscura (except as noted under that species). HW black, with mostly dusky fringe (except some white at apex). Underside without fuscous shading interrupting narrow white pm band on HW. 60-70 mm. H 31:14 (as obscura). B & Mc 2: 18.
Similar species. See obscura. Some dark an-gusi may be similar, but these will usually have some fuscous shading interrupting narrow white pm band on HW underside.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Subject to wide annual fluctuations in abundance, but generally common.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 19 August; 25 July-9 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya). Reared on Shellbark Hickory (C. laciniosa) (DFS) and Pignut Hickory (C. glabra) (SAH).
Notes. Moth rests head-down, often on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata), and sometimes partially under "shags" (WAM).
Description. FW gray-white, rather uniform, except for blackening at costa near end of am line and above reniform; reniform itself red-brown. HW black with white fringe. 70-75 mm. H 31: 2. B & Mc 1: 14.
Similar species. FW completely distinctive. Range. Gulf states, particularly Florida; straying northward to southern Illinois and Virginia.
Status. Generally considered very rare, but occurring regularly at specific locations in Florida and other Gulf states.
Season. Mid-season.
Larval foodplant. Pecan (Carya illinoensis ).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on light-barked trees; rather sluggish (JB).
Description. FW dull gray-brown, with red-brown shading; particularly within am line, in st area, and in reniform. HW black with white fringe, latter distinctively barred at veins. Specimens with a dull greenish FW cast are "subviridis" Harvey. 75-85 min. H 31: 1, 4 (incorrectly as "subviridis"). B & Mc l: l, 2, 3, 4 (aberration), 5, 6 ("subviridis").
Similar species. Combination of red-brown shadings on FW and white, heavily barred, HW fringe is quite distinctive. Some retecta "luctuosa" may be similar, but these will have rather heavy basal dash.
Range. Like sappho; Gulf states, straying northward to southern Illinois and New Jersey.
Status. Uncommon to common in Gulf states, rare and sporadic elsewhere. Season. Mid-season to late.
Larval foodplant. Pecan (Carya illinoensis) (AEB).
Description. FW light gray, with accented pattern of black lines; basal dash usually prominent in both sexes, and succeeded by a similar dash, slightly higher, through am line; often with prominent anal dash as well; usually prominent blackish arc from costa, under reniform to outer margin below apex. HW black, with white fringe, lightly barred at veins. Underside boldly patterned in black and white, with pm white band prominent on both FW and HW. Large specimens with yellow-reddish FW cast are "luctuosa" Hulst, and may represent a distinct species. 60-70 mm. H 31: 8 ("luctuosa"). B & Mc 2: 11, 19 ("luctuosa"), 20 ("luctuosa").
Similar species. C. dejecta has a less prominent basal dash (usually absent in males) and lacks the succeeding dash through the am line; dejecta also has a narrower white HW fringe, and a less complete pm white band on FW underside. C. vidua is generally larger, with a much heavier am line, and the blackish FW arc extends above (not under) the reniform.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine to Georgia and west throughout area. The form (possibly species) "luctuosa" seems confined at present to the more western and southern limits of this range.
Status. Common to abundant; except for "luctuosa," which seems to have become quite rare.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 9 September; 30 July-14 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya). Reared on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 2 to 8 ft. above ground, rather often on hickories (MCN). Comes readily to baits.
1 This common name is only appropriate for the form "luctuosa."
Description. FW like dejecta but "coarser," powdery or "dusted" appearance. FW ground less bluish than dejecta, and less brownish than lacrymosa (rather intermediate, neutral gray). HW black, with white fringe, barred as in retecta (often less barred than lacrymosa). Underside much like dejecta. 60-70 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 2: 6 (as lacrymosa, variety ulalume; but somewhat atypical, particularly with regard to lack of HW barring).
Similar species. Has been consistently confused with dejecta and lacrymosa. The points noted above may aid in distinguishing, but positive identification is probably best left to experts.
Range. Difficult to specify because species may be overlooked or mis-identified. Known from Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi in our area. AEB has studied extensively in Missouri (see Brower, 1922).
Status. Presumably very rare, but may be overlooked.
Season. Apparently mid-season.
LarvaI foodplants. Hickories (Carya) (AEB).
Notes. Moth very sluggish, entirely unlike lacrymosa (Brower, 1922).
Description. FW gray, like retecta, but with less brownish tint and shadings, and without dash through am line. Pale area beyond am line along costa, extending obliquely toward subreniform, conspicuous. HW black, with white fringe (usually narrower than retecta). Underside similar to retecta, but with slightly more extensive and whiter basal area (fig. 2.4G). 60-70 mm. H 32: 1. B & Mc 2:8 (atypically dark specimen).
Similar species. See retecta and ulalume.
Range. Massachusetts to Georgia and west throughout area.
Status. Generally rare and local.
Season. Mid-season, averaging much earlier than retecta. (Southern New England: 15 August; 19 July-18 September.)
Larval foodplants. Reared on Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down, usually on tree trunks, but occasionally under eaves and in other protected places on buildings, particularly during heavy rains.
Similar species. The dusky HW fringe and distinctive underside will distinguish this from similar species.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario) to Florida and west throughout area. Northern records (New England) generally date back to the 1920s and 1930s.
Status. Rare to the north, uncommon elsewhere.
Season. Mid-season (long season).
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) (AEB).
Description. FW light gray, strongly marked with black lines and shadings; prominent blackish arc from above reniform at costa to outer margin, just below apex; heavy basal and anal dashes. HW black with broad white fringe. Underside boldly patterned in black and white, all bands prominent. 70-80 mm. H 31: 5. B & Mc 1: 17.
Similar species. See retecta and maestosa. Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine (rare) and New Hampshire to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally common, but becoming rarer and more sporadic to the north.
Season. Late.
Larval foodplants. Walnuts (Juglans) and hickories (Carya).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 1 to 8 ft. above ground; often on hickories and oaks (WAM, MCN). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW light gray, with lines as in vidua, but not strongly marked except for blackish arc from costa above reniform to just below apex at outer margin. HW black, with extensive gray basal hairs, and white fringe. Underside similar to vidua. The name "moderna" Grote was applied to a small, aberrant specimen, and the name should not be retained. 80-90 mm. H 31: 15 (as viduata). B & Mc l: 20.
Similar species. Only vidua is vaguely similar, but it is usually smaller, has a more extensive black FW pattern, and a broader HW fringe.
Range. Long Island, New York (1933, SAH) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon; may be locally common in the south, but very rare to the north in its range. Seems periodically to become established as far north as New Jersey at present (DFS).
Season. Mid-season to late.
Larval foodplants. Walnuts (Juglans) and hickories (Carya), including Pecan (C. illinoensis).
Description. FW dark gray, with prominent black lines, and brown and whitish shadings; brown particularly in st area. HW black, with prominently barred white fringe. Underside black and white, with relatively narrow pm white band on both FW and HW (compared to palaeogama) (figs. 2.4F; 5.5A). The species is very variable. Among the named forms are "evelina" French (inner margin and patch below apex of FW con-trastingly blackish), "paulina" H. Edwards (blackish from base to pm line of Fw), and "zelica" French (basal and pm-st area of FW contrastingly blackish). An aberrant specimen (plate 3: 8) with lacrymosa-like FW, and traces of orange on the HW, seems closest to this species, but shows some palaeogama characteristics, and may represent a hybrid between these two species (see chapter five). 60-70 mm. H 31: 6, 9 ("evelina"), 12 ("paulina"). B & Mc 2: 1, 2 ("zelica"), 3 ("evelina"), 4 ("paulina"), 5 ("paulina"), 7.
Similar species. FW remarkably similar to palaeogama, and with parallel variations. A species as variable as this will always provide some identification problems. Questionable individuals should be compared with long series of collected specimens. See ulalume.
Range. Massachusetts to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to common, but rare to the north and northeast in its range. Exhibits marked fluctuations in annual abundance.
Season. Mid-season to late.
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya). Notes. Unlike many of the black-winged species, this moth is very skittish while resting, and may fly long distances when disturbed.
Similar species. As with lacrymosa, this species is best learned by studying long series of specimens. The shape and course of the inner black band on the HW is quite constant. C. neogama has the body and basal areas on underside fuscous, not whitish.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine (rare) to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Common to abundant. Subject to wide fluctuations in abundance from year to year.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 22 August; 16 July-9 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya ) and walnuts (]uglans). Reared on Shagbark Hickory (C. ovata) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from 4 to 8 ft. above ground, often on hickories (MCN). Seems to be more commonly taken in all-night light-traps than otherwise, and so may be a late flyer.
Description. FW yellowish to reddish brown, much darker within am line, and somewhat darker at apex and anal angle. HW yellow, with black bands. 75-85 mm. H 33: 16. B & Mc 6:17.
Similar species. Unmistakable.
Range. Long Island, New York, to Mississippi and west throughout area.
Status. Rare.
Season. Apparently mid-season to late. Larval foodplant. Unknown.
Notes. Moth found resting head-down on tree trunks (WAM), in or under root-tangles along stream banks (MCN), and under fallen tree trunks lying across ravines (JB).
Description. FW pale gray, with thin blackish lines and light brown shadings. Female more mottled than male, with slight basal dash (usually completely absent in male). HW yellow-orange with black bands; fringe broad and often mostly yellow-orange (males); basal hairs only slightly darker than ground. Underside light yellow-orange and black; with very wide, light outer border and fringe on HW. 75-90 mm. H 33: 15. B & Mc 6: 15, 16.
Similar species. Often confused with neogama, but usually paler and less contrastingly marked on FW; HW has narrower black bands and less contrasting basal hairs, giving a much paler overall appearance. Male neogama generally have at least a trace of a basal dash.
The following distinction between these two species was discovered by Douglas C. Ferguson, and seems entirely reliable. It is best seen under magnification.
C. subnata -- hind tibia almost cylindrical in cross-section, densely and uniformly covered with spines on outer (ventral) surface.
C. neogama -- hind tibia strongly compressed in cross-section, sparsely and sporadically spined on outer (ventral) surface.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Nova Scotia -- one record) to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Generally quite rare, but apparently exhibits long-term fluctuations in abundance (Forbes, 1954).
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 10 August; 26 July-9 September.)
Larval foodplants. Butternut (Juglans cinerea) (JGF), and possibly Black Walnut (J. nigra) and hickories (Carya).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, often hickories and walnuts (MCN).
Description. FW dull gray (dark specimens) or light gray-brown (light specimens); often with considerable brown in am, st, and reni-form areas. Light specimens are usually males, and show at least a trace of the basal dash; dark specimens are usually females, and show a short, heavy basal dash. HW deep yellow-orange with black bands; dense, brown basal hairs. Underside much like subnata. The melanic form, with entirely black FW, is "mildredae" Franclemont. 70-85 mm. H 36: 5. B & Mc 6: 10, 11, 12.
Similar species. See subnata.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec) to Georgia and west throughout area.
Status. Uncommon to common.
Season. Mid-season to late (averaging considerably later than subnata). (Southern New England: 8 September; 19 July-14 October.)
Larval foodplants. Hickories (Carya) and walnuts (Juglans). Reared on butternut (J. cinerea) (AEB).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, often on hickories (WAM).
Description. Highly variable. FW generally gray, mottled with black and white; reniform typically outlined with white. HW orange-red with black bands; fringe cream, with some orange, and heavily barred. Among the named forms and varieties of this species are "confusa" Worthington (FW concolorous gray-brown), "umbrosa" Worthington (no white in or around reniform), "conspicua" Worthington (reniform solid white), "normani" Bartsch ("semi-melanic," with blackish FW from base to pm line, and extended black on HW), and "satanas" Reiff (melanic, with entirely black FW). 70-80 mm. H 34:7 (as osculata), 14 ("umbrosa"), 17 ("conspicua," as uxor). B & Mc 6:4 ("umbrosa"), 5 ("confusa"), 6, 7 ("conspicua").
Similar species. Because of its great variability, ilia is frequently mis-identified. Note that the HW color and pattern varies far less than the FW (as usual in the Catocala). Questionable individuals should be studied with reference to a long series of collected specimens. See innubens.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Common to abundant.
Season. Early, but some individuals persisting until late. These late individuals have a mottled appearance, often with whitish patches presumably resulting from wear. (Southern New England: 2 August; 10 July-8 October.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus). Reared on Black Oak (Q. velutina) (TDS), Red Oak (Q. borealis) (AEB), and White Oak (Q. alba) (AEB).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, often high, and frequently on oaks (WAM, TDS). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW light gray, extensively shaded with brown; pale patch after am line along costa, and extending obliquely inward to the very pale subreniform. HW yellow with very broad inner black band; brown basal hairs completely filling basal area; pm yellow band very even, and followed by very broad outer black band; fringe light yellow and cream, heavily barred. Underside pale whitish-yellow, with all bands prominent. Among the named varieties of this species are the forms "bunkeri" Grote (with heavy brown FW shadings) (fig. 5-4), and "eliza" Fischer (with white FW patches), and the aberration "aurella" Fischer (with yellow basal hairs on HW). The melanic form is "ruperti" Franclemont, and has a deep brown-black FW. 70-80 min. H 34: 6. B & Mc 6: 1.
Similar species. The unusual HW renders the species generally unmistakable.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Nova Scotia) to North Carolina (Fontana) and west throughout area.
Status. Common where foodplant occurs. Season. Mid-season to late.
Larval foodplants. Basswood (Linden) (Tilia americana). There may be another foodplant, as the species is sometimes found far from Basswood.
Notes. Moth rests head-down, often high, on large, light trees (particularly White Oak) (WAM). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW white, variously marked with gray and blackish lines and patches. HW black with even white pm band and white fringe. Underside boldly patterned in black and white, all bands prominent, and pronounced discal lunule on HW. Typical specimens have the basal and st areas of the FW largely filled with blackish, while form "clara" Beutenmüller has these areas largely whitish. Form "phrynia" H. Edwards is evenly dusted with grayish over the entire FW. 70-80 min. H 32:6 ("clara"), 7 (typical, as variety "bianca"). B & Mc 1: 9, 10 ("phrynia"), 11 ("clara"), 12, 13.
Similar species. Unmistakable.
Range. Hudson Bay area to Kentucky and west throughout area.
Status. Common to the north, and becoming very rare to the south, in this range. Subject to considerable fluctuation in annual abundance.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 12 August; 19 July-4 October.)
Larval foodplants. Poplars (Populus ). Reared on Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides) and Lombardy Poplar (P. nigra italica) (TDS). May also take some willows (Salix).
Notes. Moth rests head-up, particularly on trunks of light trees (primarily White Birch, Betula papyrifera, in southern New England; also aspens and lighter oaks and maples); prefers white backgrounds in experimental tests (Sargent, 1973a). Easily mated in captivity (Sargent, 1972a). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW light gray, with brownish and white shadings, latter particularly in st area; blackish arc from middle of costa down through reniform and over to outer margin just below apex. HW pinkish-red with black bands and white, scalloped fringe. 90-95 mm. H 35: 9. B & Mc 3: 19.
Similar species. Large size, pink-red HW, and prominent blackish FW arc will distinguish from any other species.
Range. Vermont (old records); Long Island, New York (SAH, 1930-32) to South Carolina and west throughout area; particularly in mid-Atlantic and southern Appalachian states at present.
Status. Rare.
Season. Long season, but mostly mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Unknown.
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, often wedged into crevices; rather sluggish (JB).
Description. FW gray, mottled with whitish, and with st line regularly dentate and contrastingly white. HW orange-red to scarlet-red with black bands; white, heavily barred fringe. Underside with white FW ground, white and reddish HW ground; all bands prominent; usually with well-marked discal lunule. The melanic form, "agatha" Beutenmüller, is dark, smoky gray, but with white st line usually contrasting. An aberration with HW entirely black is "fletcheri" Beutenmüller. 70-90 mm. H 33: 5. B & Mc l: 19 ("fletcheri"); 4: 6, 7 ("agatha"); 8:23 ("beaniana").
Similar species. Close to meskei, but that species usually smaller, with FW giving "dusty" impression. HW in meskei is slightly paler, tending toward salmon; with inner black band narrower, and tapering more gradually to point at or before inner margin; apex often with some orange. The discal lunule on HW underside is usually very faint or absent in meskei. See semirelicta.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia) to Pennsylvania and west throughout area.
Status. Common over most of range. Season. Early to late, perhaps the longest season of any Catocala. (Southern New England: 28 August; 8 July-11 October.)
Larval foodplants. Poplars (Populus) and willows (Salix). Reared on Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-up on tree trunks, often high. Captured feeding at night at milkweed and joe-pye-weed (MCN). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW light gray, shaded with light brown and white; with distinct dark dashes in areas of basal and anal dashes, and obliquely from pm line to outer margin just below apex. HW salmon-red with black bands. Underside HW with distinct, black discal lunule. More contrasting specimens, with the inner margin of FW darkened, are "perplexa" Strecker. The melanic form, with blackish FW, is "forbesi" Franclemont. An aberration with yellow HW ground, which may simply be due to fading, has been named "petulans" Hulst. 75-85 min. H 34: 11. B & Mc 3: 14.
Similar species. C. coccinata shows a somewhat similar FW pattern, but HW shade (crimson) is entirely different in that case. C. marmorata is similar in FW and HW colors, but is larger and has distinctive blackish arc on FW.
Range. Hudson Bay area to New Jersey and Pennsylvania (perhaps further in mountains) and west throughout area. A distinctly northern species.
Status. Uncommon to common.
Season. Late. (Southern New England: 12 September; 29 July-14 October.)
Larval foodplants. Willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus). Reared on Black Willow (S. nigra) (DFS).
Notes. Moth rests head-up on tree trunks, usually from 4 to 8 ft. above ground, often on White Oak; quite skittish (WAM, MCN).
Description. FW grayish black, dusted with white; usually with whitish patch near (and sometimes including) subreniform; area between pm and st lines contrastingly brownish and/or whitish, and with distinctive vertical ribbing of the scales under magnification. HW scarlet with black bands. Underside like parta, but with darker FW and HW margins. Specimens with light gray FW are "albida" Beutenmüller. 60-70 mm. H 32:4 (as groteiana); 35: 12. B & Mc 3: 5, 6, 8 ("albida").
Similar species. Unmistakable when pro-st area patchily filled with whitish (similar then to the western groteiana). Specimens without this whitish might be confused with unijuga or meskei, but these usually have paler FW, less deeply scarlet HW, and more irregular HW bands.
Range. Hudson Bay area to at least New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and west throughout area. A distinctly northern species.
Status. Generally uncommon to rare, but occasionally common. Apparently rare in many places at present, but probably subject to long-term fluctuations in abundance.
Season: Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 20 August; 26 July-22 September.)
Larval foodplants. Poplars (Populus) and willows (Salix). Reared on Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides) (AEB).
Description. FW whitish, shaded with gray; lines black and contrasting; pm and st lines regularly dentate, with whitish area between; st immediately followed by very prominent, regularly dentate, black line; usually a blackish shade extending horizontally from basal dash to outer margin (this shade absent in more uniform specimens, which are "atala" Cassino). HW pinkish red with black bands; inner band usually terminating well before inner margin. 65-75 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 4: 2.
Similar species. C. unijuga may be quite similar, but that species is usually larger, has less contrastingly black FW lines, particularly beyond the white st, and a heavier inner black band on HW which usually reaches the inner margin.
Range. Quebec, Nova Scotia, Maine, and westward through Ontario and Manitoba. Ranges less far south than any other eastern Catocala.
Status. Uncommon to rare.
Season. Very long season, but predominantly mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Poplars (Populus), possibly only Balsam Poplar (P. balsamifera) (DCF).
Description. Very similar to unijuga. FW gray, with whitish and blackish dusting, giving a more uniform appearance than unijuga. HW orange-red with black bands; white apex often with orange dots (unlike unijuga). Underside HW with discal lunule faint or absent. The melanic form, with uniformly blackish FW, is "krombeini" Franclemont. 65-75 min. H 33:6 (atypically pale; possibly faded). B & Mc 4: 8.
Similar species. Unless as distinctive as the specimen on plate 5, meskei is one of the most difficult of the eastern Catocala to identify. Positive identification is probably best left to experts, but see unijuga for aids to tentative identification.
Range. Southern Canada (Quebec, Ontario) to Pennsylvania and west throughout area. Apparently very sporadic in occurrence within this range.
Status. Uncommon to rare. Appears to be more common at present in the western portions of its range.
Season. Mid-season, averaging earlier than unijuga.
Larval foodplants. Poplars (Populus), particularly Cottonwood (P. deltoides), and willows (Salix). Reared on Large-tooth Aspen (P. grandidentata) (SAH).
Notes. Moth rests head-up on tree trunks (WAM).
Description. FW rather uniform gray, tinted and shaded with brown; lines somewhat blurred, giving "soft" appearance. HW scarlet-orange with black bands; inner black band rather narrow and sometimes broken before inner margin; apex often heavily shaded with orange. Underside without HW discal lunule. Specimens with a dark shade running across FW from basal dash to near outer margin are "jullietta" French. 70-75 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 8: 6, 7.
Similar species. Somewhat similar to unijuga, but the soft brownish-gray FW, and very different HW banding pattern, are distinctive.
Range. Western New York to Pennsylvania and west and south throughout area. Status. Uncommon to common.
Season. Very long season; early to quite late.
Larval foodplants. Willows (Salix).
Notes. Moth tends to rest in caves by day (see Brower, 1930).
Description. FW even gray-brown, with greenish dusting and shadings; am and pm lines black, fine and single, though sometimes obsolete. HW deep pink with broad and even black bands; inner black band rather erect and reaching inner margin; dirty white fringe, without distinct apex. Underside dirty white with blackish bands (fig. 5.6c). Specimens with a pale apical patch on FW are "carissima" Hulst, which is predominantly southern but has been taken as far north as Long Island, New York (1929, 1933, SAH). 70-85 mm. H 32: 9. B & Mc 3: 9, 10 ("carissima").
Similar species. Essentially unmistakable, though occasional intergrades to amatrix may be confusing (see chapter five on hybrids). Ordinarily, amatrix has more contrasting am and pm lines on FW, and a distinctive HW color and banding pattern.
Range. Canada (Ontario) (not definitely known from Maine) to Florida (form "carissima") and west throughout area.
Status. Common.
Season. Mid-season to late. (Southern New England: 6 September; 2 August 27 October.)
Larval foodplants. Willows (Salix), particularly Black Willow (S. nigra), and poplars (Populus).
Notes. Moth often rests in protected places, e.g., in caves, under eaves, bridges, etc. When on trees, rests head-down, usually from 3 to 5 ft. above ground, and is often very skittish. Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW uniform light silvery gray, becoming whitish toward costa; am and pm lines black, fine and single. HW pink, with broad and even black bands, and pure white fringe. Aberrational specimens include those with conspicuous pink hairs on the abdomen ("diantha" H. Edwards), and with yellow HW ground ("hilli" Grote). Occasional specimens have the HW bands somewhat blurred (plate v). 60-75 mm. H 35: 10. B & Mc 3: 15.
Similar species. Combination of silvery gray FW, and pink, evenly banded HW is distinctive.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia) to North Carolina (Highlands) and west throughout area.
Status. Generally common, but becoming rare to the south in its range.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 20 August; 19 July-9 October.)
Larval foodplants. Willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus). Apparently a "fussy" feeder in some instances, perhaps locally requiring specific host species (DFS, TDS). Reared on Trembling Aspen (P. tremuloides) (AEB).
Notes. Moth rests head-down, often low, on tree trunks; also on fence posts, rock surfaces, etc. Tends to drop to ground when disturbed (WAM). Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW dull gray-brown; with am and pm lines black and contrasting on upper half, lighter on lower half, subreniform large and only slightly separated from am line by a narrow blackish patch; basal dash blackish and heavy, the blackish often continuing obliquely across FW to near apex. In form "selecta" Walker, without these blackish shadings. HW pinkish-red with black bands; the inner band further out and more ex-curved than in cara. Underside with whitish FW ground (paler than cara) (fig. 5.6A). Occasional hybrids with cara may occur (see chapter five). 75-85 mm. H 32:12 ("selecta"), 13 (as variety "nurus"). B & Mc 3: 11, 12 ("selecta").
The melanic specimen on plate 6:3 seems to be this species. Note the course and contrast of the am and pm lines; the whitish, slightly contrasting, st line; and the color and banding pattern of the HW -- all of which fit amatrix, rather than cara. I would suggest applying the name "hesseli" to this beautiful form, in honor of Sidney A. Hessel, who took two such specimens at Woodmere, New York (21 and 28 August 1932).
Similar species. See cara.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine (rare) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to rare, but sometimes locally common.
Season. Mid-season to late (almost identical to cara). (Southern New England: 6 September; 5 August-10 October [CGK].)
Larval foodplants. Willows (Salix) and poplars (Populus). Apparently rather restricted, perhaps most often on Black Willow (S. nigra) and Cottonwood (P. deltoides).
Notes. Like cara, moth often rests in protected places, e.g., under loose bark, in caves, under bridges, and particularly on buildings. Very skittish, often flying long distances if disturbed. Comes readily to baits.
Description. FW dull gray-brown, with lighter shadings and conspicuous blackish lines; area between pm and st lines brownish. HW yellow-orange, with black bands; apex and fringe entirely yellow-orange. Underside deep yellow with black bands. 60-65 mm. H 34: 4- B & Mc 6:13, 14 (pale, western "desdomona").
Similar species. Vaguely similar to consors, but that species with dirty whitish HW fringe, and entirely distinctive (zigzag) HW banding pattern. See muliercula.
Range. Just barely within western edge of our area. Southern Illinois to Mississippi and west. Florida specimens (Kimball, 1965) may be strays.
Status. Absent from most of our area; otherwise uncommon to rare (more common west of our area).
Season. Mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus).
Description. FW similar to concumbens; even, pale gray; with fine, black, single lines; st blurred whitish. HW light yellow with widely separated black bands; inner band irregular and ending abruptly before inner margin. 60-70 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 7: 13.
Similar species. Quite distinctive. C. clintoni is smaller, with prominent basal dash.
Range. Southwestern Ontario to South Carolina, and west and south (to Texas).
Status. Generally uncommon to rare, becoming more common to the west of our area.
Season. Early.
Larval foodplants. Honey Locust (Gleditchia triacanthos). Possibly also on Lead Plant (Amorpha).
2 This
common name is based on a synonym for illecta, magdalena Strecker
(1874).
Similar species. This moth is part of an essentially western complex of Lead Plant (Amorpha) and Locust (Robinia) feeders. C. nuptialis (plate 7: 6) is closely similar to abbreviatella, but has a small, solid black reniform. C. whitneyi (plate 7: 7) is also similar, but has a dark, heavy am line (ending in a broad triangle at the middle of FW), and a blackish patch around reniform. C. amestris has doubled FW lines. See clintoni.
Range. Essentially western, but with sporadic eastern records. C. abbreviatella from Manitoba to Florida and westward (also reported from Pennsylvania). C. nuptialis at extreme west of our area (Illinois, Wisconsin) and westward. C. whitneyi from Ohio and Tennessee, west and north to Kansas and Manitoba.
Status. Sporadic, rare, or accidental over most of our area.
Season. Early, with whitneyi apparently somewhat
later than the others.
Larval foodplants. Lead Plant (Amorpha).
Similar species. See abbreviatella.
Range. Common in Texas; otherwise rare and sporadiC. Recorded from North and South Carolina and Florida; and Wisconsin and Illinois at the western edge of our area.
Status. Generally rare and sporadic in the east, though regularly occurring at some locations (e.g., McClellanville, South Carolina) (RBD).
Season. Early.
Larval foodplants. Lead Plant (Amorpha) and Locust
(Robinia ).
Description. FW uniform dull gray, darkening toward outer margin; all lines and markings obsolete, or nearly so. HW light yellow-orange, with broad blackish outer band (no inner band), and wide whitish-yellow fringe. Underside yellow-cream and fuscous, with pm black band on FW, and trace of inner black band on HW toward costa. 40-45 mm. H 36: 1. B & Mc 10: 20.
Similar species. The other Catocala with only the outer band on HW upperside, amica and jair, have prominent FW markings.
Range. Southwestern, particularly Texas. Recorded from Florida, South Carolina and Virginia.
Status. Very rare and local in the east.
Season. Apparently early to mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Unknown.
Description. FW gray, somewhat mottled with whitish and blackish shadings; no basal dash; inner margin sometimes narrowly blackish (form "metalomus" Mayfield). HW yellow-orange, with black bands; outer band broken, with separate anal spot. HW underside with blackish shading tending to complete the inner black band to inner margin basally. The melanic form, "engelhardti" Lemmer, may be very difficult to separate from the melanic form of gracilis. 40-45 mm. H 35:7 (as praeclara ). B & Mc 9: 8, 9 (both as gracilis, form "sordida").
Similar species. Very close to gracilis, with some authors suggesting the two may be identical (e.g., Barnes & McDunnough, 1918; Adams & Bertoni, 1968). Generally, sordida is distinguished by a less mottled FW overall, less extensive blackish shading along the inner margin, and absence of a basal dash. In addition, the inner black band on the HW underside tends to form a complete loop, rather than ending abruptly as in gracilis. These characters are not always correlated, and many collectors finally resort to separating the two species on the basis of the presence (gracilis) or absence (sordida) of the FW basal dash.
Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba to Nova Scotia) to Georgia and west throughout area.
Status. Common. Varies from considerably more common to considerably less common than gracils from place to place (and even season to season in any one place).
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 4 August; 5 July-13 September. Consistently averaging earlier than gracilis.)
Larval foodplants. Blueberries, and perhaps related plants (Vaccinium). May have different foodplant species than gracilis.
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from
4 to 8 ft. above ground. Apparently prefers rough-barked trees, often resting
deep in furrows.
Description. Similar to sordida, except as noted under that species. FW gray, mottled with whitish and blackish shadings; generally with rather extensive blackish shading along inner margin (sharply set off, and running across thorax, in form 'lemmeri" Mayfield; absent in form "cinerea" Mayfield); distinct basal dash; lines fine, black (sometimes broken or obsolete); st usually distinct. HW as in sordida. Underside HW with inner black band tending to end abruptly after angling back toward inner margin. Melanic individuals occur, but these may be difficult to distinguish from melanic sordida. Melanic specimens with a distinct basal dash (plate 7: 19) are presumably this species, and I would suggest the name "hesperis" for this form, which has not been previously named. 40-45 mm. H 35: 8. B & Mc 9: 7.
Similar species. See sordida and louiseae.
Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba), Maine to Florida (rare) and west throughout area.
Status. Common most places throughout range.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 12 August; 28 July-14 September. Consistently averaging later than sordida.)
Larval foodplants. Blueberries, and perhaps related plants (Vaccinium). Reared on Late, or Half-high, Blueberry (V. vacillans) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests as sordida, often in furrows
of large, rough-barked trees.
Description. FW similar to C. andromedae, with prominent white line immediately following black pm line, small black spot 0n am line at level of subreniform (not between am line and subreniform as in andromedae), and blackish shadings along inner margin (broadening between pm line and outer margin) and near apex. HW deep yellow-orange (as in amestris) with black bands; inner band ending abruptly before inner margin. 40 mm.
Similar species. The andromedae-like FW, with yellow-orange and black banded HW, is quite distinctive. However, this moth is very close to gracilis. I recently discovered two older specimens of louiseae at the U.S. National Museum (from Arkansas and Florida) which had been placed with gracilis. Perhaps louiseae is a southern subspecies of gracilis. Rearings should be carried out to establish the status of this moth.
Range. Described from St. Johns Co., Florida.
Status. Presumably rare, or very local.
Season. Early (All specimens mentioned by Bauer were taken
in May.)
Description. FW like gracilis, but with more contrasting whitish shadings, particularly between pm and st lines; blackish shading along inner margin always present, and usually heavy; prominent black spot between am line and subreniform. HW black, with white apex and blackish fringe. Underside blackish, with only a broad pm band on FW, and apex of both FW and HW contrast-ingly white (fig. 2.4A). 40-50 mm. H 32:3 (as tristis). B & Mc l: 18.
Similar species. The smallest black-winged Catocala. Prominently marked FW, particularly blackish inner margin, easily distinguishes andromedae from miranda and judith. C. louiseae, with similar FW, has yellow and black-banded HW.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec), Maine to Florida (rare) and west throughout area.
Status. Uncommon to common, but somewhat sporadiC. Apparently this species, like others of the Vaccinium feeders, is more common toward the coast than inland.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 10 August; 8 July-10 September. Overlapping both gracilis and sordida; though generally, like gracilis, averaging a little later than sordida.)
Larval foodplants. Blueberries (Vaccinium) and possibly Bog Rosemary (Andromeda). Reared on Low Blueberry (V. pennsylvanicum) (TDS).
Notes. Resting habits of moth essentially identical to
gracilis.
Description. FW rather uniform gray; with whitish, brownish, and blackish shadings; veins blackish and somewhat contrasting, alternating with parallel whitish lines toward outer margin. All eastern specimens are race gerhardi Barnes & Benjamin, having the FW costa broadly shaded with whitish-gray (typical specimens, from Texas, have the FW costa concolorous). HW bright crimson-red with black bands. Underside like coccinata. 55-65 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 8: 10.
Similar species. FW of eastern specimens is completely distinctive.
Range. Massachusetts to Virginia, primarily along the coast; taken inland to Fontana, North Carolina.
Status. Local; generally considered very rare, but consistently taken in some numbers at certain well-known localities (e.g., Lakehurst, New Jersey).
Season. Mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus), presumably Scrub Oak (Q. ilicifolia) in most cases. Reared on Q. ilicifolia (SAH, JBP).
Notes. Moth has been found resting on outbuildings in
wooded areas (MCN).
Description. FW light gray, mottled with whitish and brownish; with blackish shadings in areas of basal and anal dashes, and obliquely from pm line to outer margin just below apex (these shadings heavier in females). HW deep crimson with black bands. Underside with crimson ground on FW (sometimes showing through as pinkish tint in lighter areas of upperside) and lower half of HW; upper half of HW with whitish ground; all bands prominent. The name "chiquita" Bartsch was applied to an aberrational specimen with pinkish abdominal hairs. A minor variant, with a very heavy basal dash, has been named "circe" Strecker. Southern (especially Florida) specimens, with a very fine inner black band on HW, constitute the subspecies sinuosa Grote. 60-70 mm. H 34: 10. B & Mc 3: 16, 17 ("circe"), 18 (sinuosa).
Similar species. The boldly crimson HW will distinguish from any vaguely similar species (e.g., parta).
Range. Canada (Manitoba to Quebec, rarely Nova Scotia) to Florida (generally as sinuosa) and west throughout area.
Status. Uncommon to common.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 31 July; 6 July-4 September.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus); particularly, though not exclusively, Scrub Oak (Q. ilicifolia). Reared on Q. ilicifolia (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. FW uniform light gray; lines black, very fine and partly obsolete. HW black, with whitish apex and dirty whitish fringe. Underside HW blackish to base, with only whitish apex; underside FW with narrow whitish pm band (fig. 2.4B). Larger specimens from Texas have been described as a separate species, orba Kusnezov, but these may represent a southwestern sub-species. 40-45 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 8: 21 (orba), 22.
Similar species. See judith. Underside (fig. 2.4B) is completely distinctive.
Range. Massachusetts (Forbes, 1954) to South Carolina.
Status. Very rare and local. Taken regularly in recent years at Fontana, North Carolina; also twice in Pennsylvania (DFS).
Season. Probably mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Unknown.
Description. Very variable. FW generally gray-brown; often with darkish shading in area of basal dash, along inner margin, and in an arc setting off apex; usually with a brownish patch running along costa from pm line to apex. HW orange-red with black bands; grayish fringe, except whitish at apex. Underside with largely reddish ground; but pm band of FW and apex of HW white. Among the named forms are "celia" H. Edwards (contrastingly pale FW region between dark apex and inner margin), "lucinda" Beutenmüller (FW more evenly gray-brown, with dark shading in region of basal dash, and to a lesser extent along inner margin and beneath apex), "adriana" H. Edwards (FW entirely gray-brown, without blackish shadings), and "nigrescens" Cassino (the melanic form, with FW entirely brown-black). 50-60 mm. H 33:2 ("celia"), 4 (typical, as celia), 7 ("lucinda," as mopsa). B & Mc 7:17 ("lucinda"), 18 ("celia"), 19 ("adriana"), 20.
Similar species. Despite its variability, ultronia is usually easy to identify on the basis of its intermediate size, orange-red HW, and distinctive brownish FW apex.
Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba to Nova Scotia) to Florida (usually as "celia") and west throughout area.
Status. Common to abundant throughout most of range.
Season. Early to mid-season, with stragglers until quite late. (Southern New England: 10 August; 22 July-28 September.)
Larval foodplants. Various Rosaceae, including apples (Pyrus), and cherries and plums (Prunus). Reared on apple (P. malus) (DFS) and Pin Cherry (P. pennsylvanica) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, usually from
6 to 12 ft. above ground, often under a large branch. Melanics ("nigrescens")
seem to prefer darker backgrounds than lighter forms (Sargent, 1968).
Description. FW light greenish-gray in median area; with blackish, strongly contrasting basal area (within am line) and inner margin (to pm line); blackish shadings beyond pm line along outer margin; slight brownish shading between pm and st lines. HW yellow-orange with black bands; outer band either complete or with separate anal spot. 40-50 mm. H 34: 12. B & Mc 10: 5.
C. pretiosa Lintner (plate 8: 4; B & Mc 10: 4) is an intriguing moth which is often considered a form of this species, though it seems at least as close to mira to my eyes. Here the pale median FW area is largely whitish and extends to the inner margin, the lower portion of the dark basal area is light, and the pm-st space is largely filled with brownish. This moth was not taken by collectors for many years (from about 1920 to 1968), and was often presumed to be extinct. In 1968, however, J. Muller took two specimens in New Jersey (28 June) which correspond closely to pretiosa (I compared these with pretiosa at Yale University in 1973). Since then, Dale F. Schweitzer has taken another New Jersey specimen (6 July 2974) which clearly approaches pretiosa (fig. 2.5), and Charles Horton has taken a similar individual at Chapel Hill, North Carolina (12 June 1974). The status of this moth is obviously obscure. Is it a species which has remained excessively rare for a long period of time, or is it a form of crataegi or mira which has long been absent, but is now recurring? Rearings of all of the species in this complex may shed light on this matter, and are strongly recommended.
Similar species. C. crataegi may usually be distinguished from both mira and blandula on the basis of its paler median FW area (with greenish tint), and its more uniformly blackish FW shadings in the basal area and along the inner margin. The am and pm lines approach, and may touch one another at the FW inner margin in blandula and most crataegi, but are more widely separated in mira (and pretiosa). C. mira has a deeper orange HW than either crataegi or blandula.
Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba to Nova Scotia) to Florida and west throughout area. (Most of the pretiosa that I have examined have come from New York [Albany], New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.)
Status. Generally uncommon to common over most of its range.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 31 July; 8 July-27 August. Almost identical to C. blandula; averaging two weeks earlier than C. mira.)
Larval foodplants. Hawthorns (Crataegus ) and apple (Pyrus). Reared on hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) (AEB, SAH, TDS) and apple (P. malus) (JPM).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. FW gray, with whitish and brown shadings; latter particularly within am line and between pm and st lines; without prominent blackish shadings; light patch beyond am line along costa, extending obliquely inward to subreniform; am and pm lines clearly separated at inner margin. HW yellow-orange (deeper than crataegi and blandula) with black bands. 40-50 mm. H 34: 13 (as polygama); 35:5 (as jaquenetta). B & Mc 10: 2, 3.
Similar species. Rather similar to crataegi and blandula, but FW with no strongly contrasting blackish shadings, more brown in st area, and more widely separated am and pm lines at inner margin. HW deeper orange than either crataegi or blandula. See crataegi (also pretiosa) and blandula.
Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba to Quebec) (absent in Maine) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Variable from place to place and season to season. Rare to common; apparently more common to the west in its range.
Season. Mid-season. (Southern New England: 13 August; 22 July-28 August. Averaging two weeks later than crataegi and blandula .)
Larval foodplants. Hawthorns (Crataegus). Notes. Moth
rests head-down on tree trunks. Taken feeding at night on wild ber-gamot
(Monarda) (MCN).
Description. FW light gray; like crataegi, but without greenish tint, and with less pronounced contrast of pale median area with darker basal area and inner margin; area between pm and st lines with considerable brown shading (usually more than crataegi, less than mira); am and pm lines approach, and may touch one another at inner margin. HW and underside similar to crataegi. 40-50 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 10: 1 (atypically brownish).
Similar species. See crataegi and mira. Range. Southern Canada (Manitoba to Nova Scotia) to North Carolina and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to common. Apparently more common to the east in its range.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 1 August; 5 July-29 August. Nearly identical to C. crataegi; averaging two weeks earlier than mira.)
Larval foodplants. Hawthorns (Crataegus) and apple (Pyrus). Reared on hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) (SAH) and apple (P. malus) (JPM, TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. FW dull greenish-gray, rather uniform; with paler reniform-subreniform area; st diffuse whitish, sometimes nearly obsolete; am and pm lines very fine, nearly meeting at inner margin; prominent orange-brown shading along inner margin from am to st line; no basal dash. HW yellow-orange with black bands. Underside light orange and blackish, all bands prominent. An aberration with the HW almost totally black is "constans" Hulst (fig. 5.3) 40-50 mm. H 35: 6. B & Mc 9: 16; 10: 10 ("constans").
Similar species. C. praeclara is somewhat similar, but shows the following FW differences: ground lighter green; am and pm lines clearly separated at inner margin; brown shading along inner margin darker and broken between am and pm lines, but extending inward from am line to base; basal dash short but distinct. In addition, praeclara has a paler orange HW ground and underside. See titania and alabamae.
Range. Maine to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Common.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 6 August; 12 July-8 September. Nearly identical to praeclara.)
Larval foodplants. Hawthorns (Crataegus), plums (Prunus) and apple (Pyrus).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. FW light greenish gray; con-trastingly shaded with dark brown patches, particularly along inner margin (except between am and pm lines); short, fine basal dash. HW light yellow-orange with black bands. Underside pale whitish orange with fuscous bands. 40-50 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 9:32.
Similar species. See grynea, titania and alabamae. C. praeclara is the only species in this group with a distinct FW basal dash.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Nova Scotia) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Rather local; often associated with barrens, bog edges, and other acid soil areas. Rare to common; more common to the east in its range.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 7 August; 13 July-13 September. Nearly identical to grynea.)
Larval foodplants. Reared on Shadbush (Service-berry) (Amelanchier spp.) and Chokeberry (Aronia spp.) (DFS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. FW like grynea, but duller and with less contrast; lines obsolescent; little if any brown shading in st area and along inner margin; no basal dash. HW like grynea, with somewhat paler yellow-orange ground. A minor variant with somewhat more distinct FW lines is "distincta" Schwarz (this may be alabamae). 20-35 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 8: 19; 9: 34.
Similar species. Usually regarded as a sub-species or variety of alabamae. Specimens referred to titania are usually smaller and plainer than alabamae, though intergrades occur. C. grynea and praeclara have far more prominent FW contrasts than either titania or alabamae.
Range. Mid-western states. Recorded from Pennsylvania (DFS), Illinois and Tennessee in our area.
Status. Very rare and sporadic, except at western edge of our area.
Season. Apparently early to mid-season.
Larval food plants. Apparently hawthorns (Crataegus).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks (Schwarz,
1916).
Description. FW like titania, but with lines more contrasting, and some dark brown shading in st area and along inner margin (between pm and st lines); no basal dash. HW yellow-orange (paler than grynea, like praeclara and titania) with black bands. 30-40 mm. H 32:15. B & Mc 9: 17.
Similar species. See titania.
Range. Southwestern states. Recorded from Tennessee, South Carolina and Florida in our area.
Status. Rare and sporadic in the east. Season. Apparently early to mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Presumably hawthorns (Crataegus).
Description. FW pale gray; with prominent, partially double, and evenly rounded am line; basal area somewhat darker and browner; heavy, short basal dash. HW yellow-orange with black bands. 40-45 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 9:31.
Similar species. The FW pattern is quite unique.
Range. Northeastern New York to New Jersey, and west and south through Ohio, Illinois and Missouri.
Status. Very rare and local.
Season. Apparently early.
Larval foodplants. Unknown.
Similar species. C. illecta and abbreviatella are vaguely similar, but neither has a FW basal dash.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario) to Florida and west throughout area. Not known from New England.
Status. Rare to uncommon over most of range. Perhaps overlooked in some instances because of early flight season.
Season. Early (being the earliest Catocala on the wing; flying in June to the north).
Larval foodplants. Plums (Prunus) and apple
(Pyrus).
Similar species. Recognizable in all varieties and forms by the distinctive triangular costo-apical patch and drop-shaped reni-form.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario, Quebec), Maine (rare) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to rare; somewhat sporadic; may fluctuate widely in abundance at any one place from year to year.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 31 July; 25 July-27 August.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus). Found and reared on Post Oak (Q. stellata) (DFS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Similar species. Some specimens may be similar to micronympha. Generally, minuta is smaller, with white st forming a more distinctly concave arc from costa, and with inner black band of HW rounded at apex (rather than sharply angled or pointed).
Range. Long Island, New York to Florida (rare) and west throughout area.
Status. Uncommon to rare through much of east, but sometimes common where foodplant has been planted.
Season. Early to mid-season.
Larval foodplants. Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos
) .
Description. FW like miniature ulalume; dull bluish-gray with darker markings; dark sub-apical shade prominent and broad, running from outer margin in downward arc to reni-form; region of anal dash also darkened. HW bright yellow with black bands. 48-55 mm.
Similar species. Dark FW shadings on a rather uniform ground give a distinctive look. More specimens, and rearing studies, are needed to establish the status of this moth precisely.
Range. Described from Athens, Georgia and Florida.
Status. Presumably rare, or very local.
Season. Mid-season (types collected in mid-June).
Larval foodplants. "It will probably prove to be an oak-feeder."
(Brower)
Description. Very variable, occurring in markedly different forms. FW in typical form (sancta Hulst) white, with strongly contrasting black lines, blackish splotches, and prominent brown shading between pm and st lines. In form "cordelia" H. Edwards (amasia Smith & Abbot), FW whitish, with splotches and shading as before, but lines faint or obsolete. In form "pulverulenta" Brower, FW uniformly greenish gray, with previous pattern faintly discernable, or absent. The form "broweri" Muller is the melanic, with FW entirely deep green-black. HW yellow-orange with black bands; outer band usually sharply broken (with straight edge at break), with separate anal spot. 40-45 mm. H 35: 1 (typical, as amasia). B & Mc 9:19 ("cordelia"), 21.
Similar species. Some specimens may be similar to certain variations of micronympha. The abrupt, straight break in the outer black band of the HW is quite consistent in connubialis, and clearly differs from the usual irregular or rounded break at this point in micronympha.
Range. Southern Canada (Nova Scotia) to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally rather rare, but very local. Perhaps increasing in numbers at present to the northeast in its range (e.g., Nova Scotia and New England).
Season. Primarily early, though scattered individuals taken until quite late. (Southern New England: 2 August; 12 July-13 September.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus). Reared on Red Oak (Q. rubra) (AEB).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Description. Extremely variable. FW grayish, often with prominently contrasting whitish or blackish markings or patches; st usually contrastingly whitish from costa, as in minuta, but not forming distinctly concave arc (rather, a crude w). HW yellow-orange with black bands; inner band usually sharply angled or pointed at apex (unlike minuta); outer band may be broken (or nearly broken), with separate anal spot. Among the named forms of this highly variable species are "jaquenetta" H. Edwards (FW rather uniformly green-gray), "hero" H. Edwards (FW with whitish median area; narrow at costa, broad at inner margin -- unlike connubialis), "ouwah" Poling (oblique blackish shading or streak across FW, interrupted only at pale subreniform), "atarah" Strecker (FW ground entirely whitish, with contrasting black lines), "gisela" Meyer (black from base of FW to pm line, contrasting with pale outer margin, except for black streak below apex), and "timandra" H. Edwards (inner black band of HW very narrow). There is also a melanic form (FW entirely blackish except for a more-or-less contrasting white st line) which has not been previously named, and for which I would suggest the name "lolita." H 32:21 ("gisela"); 35:4 (as fratercula). B & Mc 9: 22, 23 ("hero"), 24 ("hero"), 25 ("jaquenetta"), 26, 27 ("atarah," as "hero"), 28, 29 ("ouwah"), 30 ("gisela").
Similar species. With such great variability, this species will always provide some identification problems. C. minuta and connubialis, both highly variable as well, will most often be confused with micronympha. See those species for the major points of distinction.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), New Hampshire to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally uncommon to common. Scarcer to the north and west in its range.
Season. Early to mid-season. (Southern New England: 6 August; 5 July-8 September.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks.
Similar species. Closely similar to jair. That species, however, has a straighter and far less dentate pm line, and prominent brown shading between the pm and st lines. Rather intermediate specimens from New Jersey (plate 8: 27), often referred to as "Jersey jair," have the pm line of jair, but little, if any, of the brown shading between the pm and st lines. The status of these specimens will probably have to be established by rearing studies.
Range. Southern Canada (Ontario), Maine to Florida and west throughout area.
Status. Generally common to abundant. Season. Early to late, but predominantly mid-season. (Southern New England: 23 August; 12 July-27 September.)
Larval foodplants. Oaks (Quercus). Reared on Black Oak (Q. velutina) (TDS).
Notes. Moth rests head-down on tree trunks, often on oaks;
when disturbed, tends to alight higher on same tree.
Description. Similar to amica, but FW with straighter and less dentate pm line, and prominent brown shading between pm and st lines. FW shape somewhat broader and more blunt than most amica. HW and underside like amica. 35-40 mm. H (not shown). B & Mc 9: 10, 20.
Similar species. See amica.
Range. Florida. Possibly New Jersey (see discussion under amica).
Status. Uncommon.
Season. May-June.
Larval foodplants. Presumably oaks (Quercus).
WITH THIS SURVEY of the eastern Catocala completed,
it seems appropriate to outline some of the major biological questions
that it suggests. Five such questions may be asked:
Evolutionary biologists ordinarily assume that the process of speciation requires some spatial separation of the members of a freely interbreeding population into isolated sub-populations. One species must be split into two or more sub-populations which are separated by geographic barriers (e.g., a river, or desert, or perhaps distance itself) to the extent that interbreeding between members of different sub-populations is prevented for a long period of time. During this period of complete separation, the different sub-populations adapt to their local conditions, thereby accumulating genetic differences which lead to reproductive difficulties (e.g., hybrid sterility) should two sub-populations come into contact again and attempt interbreeding. At that point speciation has occurred, and selection will then operate to favor the development of isolating mechanisms (e.g., seasonal, ecological, or behavioral differences) which will minimize the chance of mating attempts between members of the now different species. Speciation in the Catocala has presumably reached this point for the most part, as hybrid specimens are virtually unknown.
How then has geographic isolation of various sub-populations of Catocala species occurred? I suggest that the answer to this question may be related to a characteristic of these moths which can be inferred from recent historical records. This characteristic is one of sporadic long-range movements, correlated with periods of great abundance. A review of the literature indicates that many species of Catocala have sometimes been found in considerable numbers far from what we would now consider their normal ranges. Such situations were particularly prevalent around the turn of the last century (1880-1930s). For example, one may read accounts of sappho occurring in numbers in Illinois (Snyder, 1897b) and Virginia (Smyth, 1899), of marmorata in New York (Foulks, 1893) and Connecticut (Ely, 1908), and of insolabilis "by the thousands" around Chicago (Snyder, 1897a). In the 1920s and 1930s, species such as lacrymosa, insolabilis and angusi were taken in Massachusetts (A. E. Brower, personal communication, based on specimens in the Zeissig collection), as were marmorata, maestosa and cara "carissima" on Long Island, New York (S. A. Hessel, personal communication, specimens in his collection).
Such records seem to have been made when the abundance of a species
was increasing dramatically. Indeed, most accounts of spectacular Catocala
"swarms" include observations of species which are far outside their
usual range. A recent example illustrates this well:
The overall pattern which emerges from these observations is one of asynchronous and highly erratic fluctuations in the abundance of various Catocala species, with considerable movement and range extension correlating with the peaks of abundance. Such characteristics suggest a basis for extensive speciation in the genus. Certainly the potential for establishing small, isolated breeding populations far from other members of the species is enhanced by any tendencies of individuals to travel widely during periods of great abundance.
Speciation might be hastened in some instances by the effects of chance operating on small gene pools. Thus, the few individuals (or perhaps only one fertile female) establishing an outlying population might, by chance, be different genetically from the species as a whole ("founder principle"; see Mayr, 1963, p. 211), and the outlying population itself might be small enough initially for chance to play a role in determining certain gene frequencies ("genetic drift"; see Mayr, 1963, p. 204). Both of these effects could contribute to the rapid genetic divergence of an isolated population, and the consequent incompatibility of its members with members of the parent population.
It appears that Catocala do tend to disperse widely during periods
of great abundance, and perhaps these periods are infrequent enough to
permit the occasional development of genetically distinct, outlying populations.
Extinction must be the usual fate of such remote populations, but given
sufficient time, some would presumably become established. Perhaps in this
way, a basis for the present species diversity of the Catocala can
be envisioned.
Text Figures:
Figure 2.1 Examples of variation
within various species:
(A). C. ilia, contrast differences (left
-- uniform; right -- highly patterned);
(B). C. lacrymosa, polymorphism (left --
form "zelica"; right -- form "paulina");
(C). C. relicta "clara,"
prominence of lines (left -- lines obsolete; right -- lines prominent);
(D). C. habilis, sex differences (left --
male, no prominent dashes; right -- female, prominent basal and anal dashes);
(E). C. retecta, size differences (left --
small male; right -- large female). 0.8X.
Figure 2.2 Various parts (A)
and markings (B) of Catocala wings. Abbreviations: FW (forewing),
HW (hindwing), am (antemedial), pm (postmedial), st (subterminal).
Figure 2.3 The frenulum (coupling structure holding FW and HW together) as it appears in males (left) and females (right). In the male, this structure is a single spine, engaging near the costa; in the female, it is multiple, engaging nearer the center of the forewing. This difference is the most reliable indicator of sex in the Catocala.
Figure 2.4 The undersides of several black-winged species: (A) C. andromedae; (B) C. miranda; (c) C. epione; (D) C. judith; (E) C. robinsoni; (F) C. lacrymosa; (G) C. dejecta; (H) C. insolabilis. Many of these species are most easily identified on the basis of underside characteristics. 0.8X.
Figure 2.5
(A) A recent specimen (1972) of C. crataegi ,
(C) an old specimen (1898) of C. "pretiosa" and (between
them)
(B) a recent specimen (1974) showing some of the characteristics of
"pretiosa".
1.3X.
Figure 2.6 A specimen of
C. maestosa reared from a larva (above) and a wild-caught
specimen (below). Specimens reared in captivity, though beautifully
fresh and well-marked, may be atypically small and dark. 1.0X.