Catocala of Alabama

Catocala ilia form conspicua, Baldwin County, Alabama,
May 12, 2007, courtesy of Dirk Bayer.

Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-45mm ** C. alabamae; Alabama; wingspan: 30-40mm The uniform greenish-grey forewing may have thin but dark (contrasting) medial lines or they may be nearly absent (titania); alabamae often displays a dash in the median/anal angle area, missing or nearly absent in titania. There is brown shading between the post medial line and the subterminal line. Vernon A. Brou image. **8878 Catocala charlottae; Charlotte's Underwing; The upper half of the am line is dark, thick and oblique, and turns in a slightly obtuse angle to the inner margin in a straight line. The pm line is black, thin, but distinct, with a single pronounced "tooth". The reniform spot sggests a figure eight and the subreniform spot is closed but cnnected to the pml with a weak line. Catocala jair; 35-40mm. The moth is hard to distinguish from amica, but jair has broader, blunter forewings than amica and the post medial line of jair is straighter (much less dentate) than that of amica. The hindwings of both species seem identical. **8878 Catocala amica; Girlfriend; wingspan: 35-40mm The black postmedian band is absent from the dorsal (upper) surface of the hindwing, but it is present on the ventral surface. Moths come in to lights and to bait. Catocala amica lineella is sometimes treated as a subspecies; sometimes as a distinct species. John Himmelman image. ** 8878.1 lineella; Little Lined Underwing; 35-40mm. No marginal black band on hw. Fw subreniform spot pale, boldy outlined with black. Light brownish-gray patch in upper half of median area near pml, and just between subreniform spot and am line there is similarly coloured light patch paralleling aml. Reniform spot dark, less distinct, in generally darker area. Form "curvifascia" has diffuse black-brown arc from mid costa region toward mid om. ** 8874 Catocala minuta; Little Underwing, wingspan: 35-45mm. unconfirmed, but expected Fw generally grey-brown with greatly widened (near costa only), white, st line. Fw outer black band unbroken, inner band forms complete loop with considerable brown scaling along im. Many different forms. Steve Walter image. ** 8873 similis; Similar Underwing, 35-45mm. Pale triangular patch from pm line along costa, pointed at apex, and light-coloured, tear-shaped reniform spot distinguish this species. Subreniform spot projects considerably beyond reniform anteriorally at right angle to line of subreniform. Many specimens also have small, light coloured, flattened oval spot about halfway between pm and am lines at about midpoint of reniform spot. Pml is almost straight for most of length. Tim Dyson photo. Catocala similis: May 11, 2008, Bon Secour, Mobile, AL, Dirk Bayer ** 8846 sordida; Sordid Underwing, wingspan: 37-45mm. unconfirmed The forewing is lighter along the costa and darker along the inner margin. Dark medial lines are especially evident through the lighter shades near the costa. The outer black band of the hindwing is broken near the anal angle. I made the determination on the moth to the right based on dark scaling along the inner margin limited to median area and submarginal "teeth" relatively short and blunt. Tim Dyson image. Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-56mm These tend to be slightly larger on average than preceding group. ** 8876 Catocala micronympha DB, the Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm). John Himmelman image. The usual specimens have grey forewings shaded with green, brown, black and white tints. There is usually a darkened band passing from the costa through the reniform spot to the outer margin. There is high variability with this species. Full size Joe Garris photo of C. micronympha form hero. ** 8877 connubialis, Connubial Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm). The forewing is highly variable and there are several different forms: "sancta" Hulst is the typical form and has forewings with white ground colour and sharply contrasting black lines and markings. There is also brown shading between post medial and subterminal lines; "cordelia" H. Edwards is coloured as above but markings are faint; "pulverulenta" Brower has grey-green forewings with faint markings, sometimes none; "broweri" Muller is the melanic form with forewings that are dark green, almost black. The hindwing has a separate anal spot and the outer band ends with a straight cut. Leroy Simon image. ** 8848 louiseae, Louise's Underwing, (wingspan: 40mm). unconfirmed There is a distinct white "smile" (in spread specimens) between the reniform and subreniform spots. There is also a narrow but distinct white line immediately following the black postmedial line. Hw deep yellow orange, outer black band interrupted, followed by dot, ending before im. messalina, Messalina Underwing, (40-45mm); unconfirmed; The forewing is a plain, dull, grey-green, darkening toward the outer margin. The hindwing is like that of the false underwing, having no inner black band. The outer band is quite wide. C. messalina flies in evergreen oak habitats. ** 8772 gracilis; Graceful Underwing, wingspan 40-45mm. Gracilis closely resembles sordida but the hindwing loop is not complete in gracilis as it is in sordida. Gracilis also tends to have a darker inner margin and there is frequently (99% of the time, Dale Schweitzer, via Joe Garris), but not always, a basal dash. Sordida never has the basal dash. C. pretiosa 40-50 doubtful C. lincolnana 40-50 ** 8864 Catocala grynea ; Woody Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm The forewing is a dull greenish grey with orangey-brown shading along the inner margin. The antemedial, median and postmedial lines are quite faint. Praeclara is somewhat similar but has a break in the brown shading between the am and pm lines. Praeclara also has a paler orange hindwing color. Tim Dyson image. ** 8865 praeclara; Praeclara Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm The forewing is a pale greenish-grey with considerable contrasting brown shading beyond post medial line. There is a black basal dash very close to the inner margin and another dash, higher up in the median area. Note the contrasting shapes of the reniform and subreniform spots. Tim Dyson image. ** 8867 Catocala blandula; Charming Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm. The pale basal area of the forewing distinguishes mira from blandula (dark brown) and crataegi (black). The forewing has dark contrasting lines as in crataegi. There is also considerable brown in the subterminal area and the subreniform spot is very conspicuous and usually brown. A light area runs obliquely from the costa to the subreniform spot. The hindwing is deep orange and has a complete inner black band. The outer black band is unbroken. Lynn Scott image. Catocala mira; Wonderful Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm. The pale basal area of the forewing distinguishes mira from blandula (dark brown) and crataegi (black). The forewing lacks the dark contrasting lines of crataegi and blandula. There is also considerable brown in the subterminal area and the subreniform spot is very conspicuous and usually brown. A light area runs obliquely from the costa to the subreniform spot. There is also a noticeable space along the inner margin between the antemedial and postmedial lines. The hindwing is deep orange and has a complete inner black band. The outer black band is unbroken Tim Dyson image. ** 8858 Catocala crataegi WO; Hawthorn Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm Determination is based on dark (black) shading in forewing basal area continuing along inner margin to anal angle and brown shading beyond postmedial line. There is also a definite greenish cast to median area. The lower wing has the outer black band, broken near the anal angle, distinguishing crataegi from blandula. Tim Dyson image. maybe ** 8841 Catocala abbreviatella; Abbreviated Underwing; wingspan: 40-50mm. The forewing is uniformly colored with narrow black lines on anterior half. The brown reniform spot is ringed with black. The outer black band of hindwing is abbreviated and then continued with a dot. The inner black band also terminates well before the inner margin. Similar species: Catocala nuptialis has solid black reniform spot. C. whitneyi has broad dark triangles in middle of forewing. ** 8842 Catocala nuptialis; Maried Underwing, wingspan 40-50mm. The reniform spot is very dark, black or almost black on an otherwise faintly marked, almost uniformly grey forewing. The outer black margin of the hindwing is unbroken, but is indented near the anal angle. Jim Vargo image. ** 8844 amestris; Three-staff Underwing; wingspan 45-50mm. There is a large pale patch near the apex. In form "westcotti" the hindwing outer black band is complete. In other moths, the band is broken as in abbreviatella. Hindwing ground colour is usually deeper yellow-orange than in similar species. Leroy Simon image. ** 8772 clintoni; Clinton's Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm. The black basal dash distinguishes clintoni from illecta and abbreviatella, both of which lack the dash. Vernon Brou image. C. grisatra 48-55 doubtful

Midsized Orange-Salmon-Red-Scarlet Underwings: Wingspans: 50-72mm ** 8857 Catocala ultronia; Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm. The forewings are typically gray-brown, with a distinct and very dark inner margin and a characteristic light brown patch, underscored by a very dark arc, near the wingtip. There can be considerable variation from one specimen to the next. Underwings can be yellow to orange to salmon. Catocala ultronia, the Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm. There is extensive orange-salmon colouration on the ventral surface of the hindwings and there is a dark discal lunule. The ventral surface of the forewings also has a generous suffusion of orange-salmon scales in the lower half of the median area. Joe Garris photo. ** 8779 serena Serene Underwing The head and collar and abdomen are brown while the thorax is grey. The am and pm lines are thin but very dark and distinct on an otherwise drab, almost uniformly olive-grey forewing. The black marginal band of the lower wings is indented at the center, and the relatively narrow, deep yellow median band parallels this indentation. Basal hairs are brown. Catocala serena courtesy of Carroll Rudy, July 28, Calumet County. maybe #8778 Catocala habilis; wingspan: 55-65mm Note large "M" on thorax and "pork chop" shaped, light coloured subreniform spot that becomes very dark in its constriction at juncture with the postmedian line. The pm line is narrow but dark and distinct. It is outwardly lined with narrow suffusion of white scales, followed by broader band of brown scales, and then another broader suffusion of white scales up to a very regular dentation of subterminal line. There is always significant "bleeding" of yellow-orange to salmon scales into hindwing fringes. Large reniform spot has brown center, faintly edged with black, then white, then black again. Joe Garris image. #8795 Catocala palaeogama ; wingspan: 60-70mm Subreniform spot is closed, does not approach pm line, and is smaller than in C. habilis. All forms have characteristic orange, heavily barred fringe to the apex, and irregular bands on hindwings. The hw basal median area is heavily suffused with dark brown to black scales. There is a dark bar in outer half of median area, paralleling the inner margin halfway between inner margin and light, closed subreniform spot. Joe Garris photo. #8795 Catocala palaeogama form phalanga; wingspan: 60-70mm. In this form, the forewing basal area and subterminal area are very dark against a much lighter background. The dark bar in the outer half of the median area, paralleling the inner margin halfway between the inner margin and the light, closed subreniform spot is especially evident. Joe Garris image. maybe ** 8770 Catocala innubens; Betrothed; 55-72mm. Forewing is mottled with white, grey and brown, and subrenifrom spot tends to be lighter in colour, although it is sometimes obscured by an indistinct blackish bar which runs from middle of basal/thorax connection to just below much lighter apex at outer margin. Jim Vargo image. ** 8770 Catocala innubens form scintillans; Betrothed; 55-72mm. In form scintillans most of the basal area (all but lower third) and all of the median area of the forewing is dark reddish brown. The area outside the pm line is grey. Vernon A Brou image. ** 8851 Catocala coccinata; Scarlet; wingspan: 57-70mm There are usually diffuse basal and anal dashes on an otherwise light grey, mottled forewing. Hindwing fringe is white (often with some salmon scaling) and is heavily checked. I find the "tooth" just below pair of very elongated "teeth" is much reduced and is quite rounded, usually allowing considerable room for a lighter patch of scales. Dark bar crosses the thorax. Reniform spot tends be to light, often with greenish cast. Joe Garris image. C. delilah 60-65 ** 8840 Catocala illecta; Magdalen Underwing, wingspan: 60-70mm The forewing pattern and colouration is much like that of concumbens, pale grey with faint black lines. Hindwings are light yellow and the irregular inner black band terminates well before the inner margin. James K. Adams image. maybe

** 8772 Catocala consors WO; Consort, wingspan: 70mm plus The forewing has irregular am and pm narrow black lines. There is a dark patch outside the reniform and subreniform spots. The orange-yellow hindwing pm band tends to be narrow and irregularly zigzagged. Sometimes the band is wider and slightly less irregular. James K. Adams image.

Solid Black Underwings: Smallest to Largest, Similar Species Paired miranda, Miranda Underwing; 37-45mm; unconfirmed/??; Fw is a plain pale grey with very light and fine black lines, darker and wider near the costa. The hindwing is black with white fringe at the apex, turning to grey along the outer margin. Miranda is smaller than look-alike orba and miranda also has a dark bar just above the inner margin in the median area, projecting toward the anal angle. orba, Orba Underwing; 40-45mm; unconfirmed; The forewing is a uniform grey with light lines and poorly defined spots. The hindwing underside is completely black. The hindwing fringe is unbroken and slightly off white, somewhat grey. Note absence of any dark bar in the median-subterminal area, paralleling the inner margin, near anal angle. Catocala andromedae, the gloomy Underwing, (wingspan: 40-50mm). The black underwings and dark grey fringe of the hindwings, coupled with the dark inner margin of the forewings help to identify this species. There is also a very dark "flying saucer" shape, adjoining the subreniform spot to the midpoint of the antemedial line. The "teeth" of the postmedian line are short and blunt, outwardly edged with white. The subterminal line is also outwardly edged with white. Full size Dirk Bayer photo. ** 8781 judith, unconfirmed; Judith's Underwing, (wingspan: 45-55mm), is one of the smaller "black" underwings. The forewing is a uniform light grey with thin and only slightly darkened antemedial, median and postmedial lines. There are no darkened dashes (slight anal dash) or transverse lines. The reniform area is slightly darkened while the area just before the subterminal line is a bit lighter. Note absence of hw white fringe. Joe Garris photo. ** 8782 Catocala flebilis, yes; Mournful, wingspan: 54-65mm. Diffuse black band runs from basal area to outer margin just below the apex, interrupted by a pale grey subreniform spot. The reniform spot is filled with brown and there is additional brown outside the postmedial line. There is no anal dash as there is in angusi. The hindwings have white fringe. J. K. Adams image. ** 8773 Catocala epione , yes; Epione Underwing, wingspan: 55-65mm The pm line is squared and has a brown band and then a light band just outside the line. The hindwing is black with pure white fringe with no barring. John Himmelman image. Catocala dejecta, (wingspan: 56-73mm; Hodge #8790). The Dejected Underwing is quite similar to Catocala retecta. Here the light coloured subreniform spot is also open, but it has a distinct "pork-chop" shape and separates a much darker median area below the subreniform spot from a very light area to the costa above the spot. The lower quarter of the submarginal area is also much darker in C. dejecta than in C. retecta. Catocala retecta; wingspan: 60-75mm Note the light coloured, elongated and open subreniform spot which interrupts the dark, diffuse ark running through the center of the wing from the basal area (body-wing juncture) to the forewing apex. The center of the reniform spot is brown and there is a brown area just below the costa running to the inner margin just outside the pm line. The off-white hindwing fringe is only lightly checked along the wing veins. Joe Garris image. ** 8784 obscura; the Obscure Underwing, (wingspan: 60-72mm), has dull, grey forewings, usually void of any significant dashes or streaks, providing for easy identification. The antemedial, median and postmedial lines of obscura are faint and the subterminal line region is only slightly paler than the rest of the forewing. The hindwing fringe is off-white and lightly checked on the veins. Joe Garris photo. maybe Catocala residua, the Residua Underwing, (wingspan: 60-73mm), yes, is distinguished from Catocala obscura by the grey hindwing fringe of residua. Catocala obscura has white to off-white fringe and tends to be less common in northern portions of its range. The forewing subterminal line/area of Catocala residua tends to be pale as is its open, elongated subreniform spot. Like C. obscura it is otherwise devoid of significant markings except for the hint of a dark bar running from the basal area through the reniform spot to the outer margin just below the apex. questionable?? ulalume; Ulalume Underwing; 62-75mm; ; The forewing colouration is a mottled light to dark grey with no strongly contrasting lines, dashes or bars. At the inner margin the antemedial line ends with in a very light coloured crescent. The subrenifrom spot is also light coloured and "comma" shaped. The hindwing is black and the fringe is pure white with thin, sharp (pointed) checking. ** 8783 Catocala angusi WO; Angus' Underwing, wingspan: 60-74mm; The dark dashes/streaks in basal area and anal area distinguish this species. The reniform spot tends to have a light brown filling. The hindwing fringe is black except for white region at the apex. The form lucetta has a broad black band from the basal area to the outer margin, broken only by the reniform and subreniform spots. James K. Adams image. ** 8794 Catocala lacrymosa; Tearful Underwing, wingspan: 60-82mm The forewing is highly variable with a mixture of black, brown (wing tips and outside postmedial line) and dark grey scaling. There are usually whitish crescents, along the inner margin at the base of the antemedial and postmedial lines. The hindwings are black with white checkered fringe, turning black near the anal angle. Catocala sappho; Sappho Underwing; 60-75mm; MB; Forewings are off white with some grey-black-brown peppering and yellow-beige lines. The reniform spot is brown and the subreniform spot is almost pure white; the hindwings are black with a white fringe. Catocala sappho, Huntsville, August 9, 2009, Maurice Bottos. ** 8791 Catocala insolabilis; Inconsolable, wingspan: 65-75mm The forewing is light grey with blackish shading along the inner margin. The antemedial and postmedial lines are thin. The hindwing fringe is very narrow and grey, becoming whiter toward the apex. The ventral surface clearly distinguishes insolabis, being almost completely black except for some white in the basal area. Vernon A. Brou image. Catocala luctuosa; 70mm;; WAM; Light grey (yellowish tint) fw clearly marked with basal dash continuing with another dash through am line, then another anal dash almost forming bar parallel to the im. Hw fringe white & only lightly barred at veins. The "teeth" in the forewing postmedial line are elongated and dark, continuing a dark dar emanating from the outer margin just below the apex. ** 8792 Catocala vidua DB; Widow; wingspan: 70-80mm The ground colour of the forewing is light grey. There is a distinguished dark arc running through the top of the reniform spot to just below the apex. There are heavy, dark anal and basal dashes, connecting to a dark median bar, running parallel to the inner margin. The am line is thick and black in its upper half. The reniform spot consists of two almost concentric irregular ovals. The subreniform spot is light, open, but constricted as it meets the pm line. The hindwing is black with broad, white fringe, only lightly interrupted. Marie Winn image. C. agrippina ** 8793 Catocala maestosa; Sad Underwing, wingspan: 78-98mm Maesotsa is quite similar to, although usually larger than, vidua. Both have the dark arc from the costa, above the reniform spot, to the outer margin just below the apex. Maesotsa, however, lacks the dark bar, found on vidua, parallel to the inner margin. The reniform spot is brown and there is brown shading just outside the postmedial line. The hindwing fringe is white, narrow and heavily barred.

** 8802 Catocala cerogama; Yellow-Banded; wingspan 70-80mm There are several different forms. The pm line is distinct, dark and has an elongate pair of projections. The pm and am lines meet the inner margin in relative proximity. The closed subreniform spot it lighter than surrounding areas, and it is shaped a bit like an arrowhead with the point toward the body. The hindwings are distinctive. Jean-Benoît Duval image.

Large Orange-Salmon Underwings: Wingspans: 65mm, usually 70-95mm ** 8801 Catocala ilia; Ilia; wingspan: 65-82mm. Several different forms, most have characteristic white area in and around reniform spot. Diffuse dark arc running from this spot to just below apex. Subreniform spot squarish, concave inner and outer edges and elongated constriction connecting it to pml. White dots near fw om in character with the overall "contrasting" appearance. ** 8801 Catocala ilia; Ilia; form conspicua In this form the entire reniform spot is heavily suffused with white scaling on an otherwise darker ground colour. Hence the form name "conspicua". Tim Dyson image. ** 8801 Catocala ilia; Ilia; form satanas In this melanic form the entire forewing, including the reniform spot is very dark. Hence the form name "satanas". The dark basal streak is still evident on this form. Tim Dyson image. ** 8801 Catocala ilia; Ilia; form normani In this semi-melanic form the entire forewing, excluding the reniform spot, is relatively dark. The brownish, kidney-shaped center of the reniform spot is outlined in white. The basal streak and subapical arc are still visible. Tim Dyson image. Catocala ilia: Dirk Bayer, Baldwin County, April 20, 2006; May 12, 2007, May 17, 2007 ** 8771 Catocala piatrix ; Penitent, wingspan: 68-84mm The forewing has a light-colored band/bar extending from the subreniform spot along the am line to the costa. The fringe of the hindwing is lightly barred and is lighter in color than the deeper orange on the rest of wing. ** 8798 Catocala neogama; wingspan 70-85mm Note the brown head and thorax and larger size as compared to C. palaeogama. Neogama specimens tend to be slightly smaller than subnata, and have darker grey brown forewings with more pronounced markings. Examination of hind tibia is sometimes needed for identification. Those of neogama tend to be flattened and unevenly and sparsely spined while tibia of subnata are cylindrical with spines dense and uniform in distribution. Joe Garris photo. ** 8797 Catocala subnata; Youthful Underwing, wingspan: 75-90mm. Forewings are greyish white with blue-grey and light brown scales. Catocala subnata usually have hindwings brighter yellow than those of neogama. Neogama usually have basal dash; absent in male subnata, but present in females. Magnification of hind tibia helps to distinguish the two species: subnata: cylindrical hind tibia; neogama: compressed or flattened hind tibia. subnata: ventral surface of tibia densely covered with evenly distributed spines; neogama: ventral surface of tibia sparsely covered with sporadic spines. maybe ** 8796 Catocala nebulosa; Clouded; wingspan 75-86mm Moths have a prominent dark brown upper-half-basal patch that extends to and ends at antemedial line. Apical area also tends to be brown, much darker than median area but not as dark as basal patch. The anal angle also has the darker brown scaling. The pm line is distinct near costa and inner margin, but becomes weak between the two. It meets inner margin in relative close proximity to am line. Closed subreniform spot is large and connects to the pm line via a thin line. C. marmorata ? 85-95

Medium-Large Pink Underwings: Wingspans: 70-95mm ** 8832 Catocala cara; Darling; wingspan 70-85mm Note the deep maroon almost purple cast to the forewings, mixed with a very pale green. The lower half of the am and pm lines is barely visible. There are no distinctive bars or dashes. The two upper "teeth" on the pm line are thin and long. The hindwing bands are pink. There is heavy black checking on the off-white hindwing fringe. The relatively thick black median band of the hindwing almost reaches the inner margin which is usually heavily adorned with dark hairs. Tim Dyson image. C. carrissima 70-85 ** 8834 amatrix Sweetheart Underwing; (wingspan 75-95mm) This species is very skittish and frequently hides in caves, under bridges, under tree bark, etc. by day, resting with head down. The hindwing patterning and colouration are similar to that of Catocala concumbens, but the large size (wingspan 75-95mm) and the dark bar running from the basal area to just below the apex distinguishes Catocala amatrix. See large Catocala amatrix courtesy of Joan F. Rickert, Aug 30, Taylor County.

C. muliercula

C. umbrosa