Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-50mm
 | **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 now (2010) elevated to full species status as Catocala lineella.
Maurice Bottos image.
|
Catocala amica, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8878.1 lineella;
Little Lined Underwing; wingspan: 35-40mm.
Without hw marginal black band. Fw subreniform spot pale, boldy
outlined with black. Similar light brownish-gray patch in upper half of median area near pm line, and just between
subreniform spot and aml is similarly coloured light patch paralleling aml.
Reniform spot dark, less distinct, in generally darker area.
|
Catocala lineella, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8874 Catocala minuta TM;
Little Underwing, 35-45mm; Fw grey-brown, greatly widened, white, st line
(near costa only). Hw outer black band unbroken, inner band in complete loop, brown scaling along im.
"eureka": blackish area between am/pm lines;
"hiseri": dull grey fw, very faint markings;
"mellitula": blackish patch in basal area from costa to im;
"obliterata": melanic, almost completely black fw;
"parvula": broad dark patch along fw i. m..
|
| ** 8873 similis;
Similar Underwing, wingspan: 35-45mm.
Pale triangular patch from pm line along costa,
pointed at apex, light-coloured, tear-shaped reniform
spot. Subreniform
spot projects much beyond
reniform anteriorally at right angle to subreniform line.
Many specimens have small, light coloured, flattened oval spot
about halfway between pm/ am lines near midpoint of
reniform spot. Pm line almost straight for most of
length.
|
| ** 8846
sordida;
Sordid Underwing, wingspan: 37-45mm.
Fw lighter along costa and darker along inner
margin. Dark medial lines are especially evident through lighter
shades near costa. Outer black band of the hindwing is broken
near anal angle.
I made the determination on the moth to the right based on
dark scaling along inner margin limited to median area
and submarginal "teeth" relatively
short and blunt.
|
| ** 8876 Catocala micronympha
form gisela,
Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
Usual specimens have grey forewings shaded with green, brown,
black and white tints. Usually darkened band passing from
costa through reniform spot to the outer margin.
Form "gisela" has a forewing that is mostly black.
|
| ** 8876 Catocala micronympha
form hero, Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
Usual specimens have grey forewings shaded with green, brown,
black and white tints. Usually darkened band passing from
the costa through reniform spot to outer margin.
Form "hero" has median area mostly white. Joe Garris image.
|
| ** 8876 Catocala micronympha
form lolita,
the Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
Form "lolita" Sargent has very dark forewings.
Harold J. Vermes image, used with permission from his son.
|
| ** 8876 Catocala micronympha
form sargenti,
Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
Usual specimens have grey forewings shaded with green, brown,
black and white tints. Usually a darkened band passing from
costa through reniform spot to outer margin.
Form "sargenti" Covell (very rare) has hindwing all black.
|
| ** 8877
connubialis,
Connubial Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
Fw highly variable; several different forms: "sancta" typical form:
white ground colour; sharply contrasting black lines/markings.
Also brown shading between pm and subterminal
lines; "cordelia": coloured as above but markings
faint; "pulverulenta": grey-green forewings with faint
markings, sometimes none;
"broweri": melanic with fws dark green, almost black.
Hw with separate anal spot; outer band ends with
straight cut.
|
| ** 8848 louiseae,
Louise's Underwing, (wingspan: 40mm).
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. unconfirmed
|
| ** 8847
gracilis,
Graceful Underwing, (wingspan: 40-45mm).
Gracilis closely resembles sordida but hw 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 basal dash.
|
| Catocala pretiosa;
Precious Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm.
Quite similar to crataegi and mira,
but pretiosa has considerable creamy white colouration in
median area. Lower portion of basal area also light, not
dark as in crataegi.
Hw inner black band forms loop; outer
band broken (not complete as in mira, followed by dot
that tapers to anal angle. |
| Catocala mira;
Wonderful Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm.
Pale basal area of fw dstinguishes mira from
blandula (dark brown) and crataegi (black).
Fw lacks dark contrasting lines of crataegi and
blandula. Considerable brown in subterminal area
and subreniform spot is very conspicuous, usually brown.
Light area runs obliquely from costa to subreniform spot.
Noticeable space along i. m. between am/pm lines.
Hw deep orange, complete inner black band. Outer black band unbroken.
|
| ** 8858
Catocala crataegi;
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. Definite greenish cast to
median area.
Lower wing has outer black band, broken near anal angle,
distinguishing crataegi from blandula.
|
| ** 8858
Catocala blandula;
Charming Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm:
Often difficult to distinguish blandula from crataegi and mira,
but mira lacks dark basal shading common to blandula and crataegi.
Blandula tends to differ from crataegi in that former has
1) am and pm lines that meet at i. m.,
2) brown as opposed to black basal area,
3) absence of any green shading/tint in median area,
4) unbroken outer black band in hindwing.
|
| ** 8864 Catocala grynea;
Woody Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm.
Fw 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.
Fw pale greenish-grey with considerable contrasting
brown shading beyond post medial line.
Black basal dash very close to inner margin;
another dash, higher up in median area.
Note contrasting shapes of reniform and subreniform spots.
Upper of two larger pml teeth longer, wider than lower tooth.
Note double, white filled amls.
Lighter, subcircular patch, outlined in black, brown on lower thorax.
|
| ** 8775
antinympha;
Sweetfern Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm.
Very dark grey, almost black, forewing ground colour
distinguishes antinympha. Some brown shading in
subreniform spot and also just outside postmedial line.
The hindwing is amber to pale orange.
There is also the form multoconspicua Reiff, 1919 with a pale,
almost white subreniform spot.
|
| ** 8774
muliercula;
Little Wife Underwing, wingspan ??
The black bands of the hindwings tend to be very wide and there is
considerable dark scaling along the inner margins. Hw
fringe is very dark as is the general reddish-brown ground colour of the forewings.
The forewing apex is preceded along the costa by a lighter,
grey-brown patch. Steve Walter image. maybe in southern counties
|
| ** 8776
badia coelebs;
Old Maid Underwing, wingspan 54-56mm.
Gray region from fw pm line to the outer margin readily
distinguishes this species. The fringe is gray on the lower wing from
the brief orange dash at the hindwing apex to the anal angle.
Tim Dyson image.
|
| ** 8777
badia;
Bay Underwing, wingspan ??.
This species has a limited range.
The Catocala badia caterpillar shows a preference for
Comptonia peregrina (sweetfern) and
Myrica cerifera (Southern bayberry/Southern wax myrtle) and
Myrica pensylvanica (Northern bayberry).
possible in southeastern Massachusetts,
but unlikely. Steve Walter image (New York)
|
Midsized Orange-Salmon-Red-Scarlet Underwings: Wingspans: 50-72mm
| ** 8857 Catocala ultronia;
Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm.
Fws typically gray-brown, with a distinct and very
dark inner margin and characteristic light brown patch, underscored
by very dark arc, near wingtip.
Underwings can be yellow to orange to salmon.
|
| ** 8857 Catocala ultronia form lucinda;
Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm.
In form lucinda most of the forewing
is bright grey. On all forms there is
extensive orange-salmon colouration on hw ventral surface,
and there is a dark discal lunule.
|
| Catocala ultronia,
form nigrescens, the Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm.
In melanic nigrescens, dorsal fw very dark.
Even darker subapical arc, basal dash, dash near anal angle are still visible.
Dark basal hairs on hw.
Harold J. Vermes slide, used with permission from his son. |
|
In form celia there is a wide, light grey band separating a dark region along inner margin and
a dark patch near the apex.
The ventral surface of forewings of all forms has a generous suffusion
of orange-salmon scales in the lower half of the median area.
|
Catocala ultronia, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
 |
** 8779 serena
Serene Underwing
Head, collar, abdomen brown while thorax grey.
Am/pm lines thin but very dark and distinct on an
otherwise drab, almost uniformly olive-grey forewing.
Black marginal band of lower wings indented at center,
and relatively narrow, deep yellow median band parallels
indentation. Basal hairs are brown.
|
 |
** 8850a herodias gerhardi Gerhard's Underwing; wingspan: 55-65mm; Fw grey and brown, no medial
lines. Fw veins somewhat darkened in median areas with white streaks from pm area to outer
fringe, running parallel to i. m. Susbspecies has distinctive very light, almost white, border along fw costa. |
| #8778 Catocala habilis; wingspan: 55-65mm
Large "M" on thorax,
"pork chop" shaped, light coloured subreniform spot very dark in constriction at juncture with pml. Pml narrow, dark, distinct, outwardly lined with
narrow suffusion of white scales, followed by broader band of brown scales, then broader suffusion of white scales up to
very regular dentation of sbtml line. Significant "bleeding" of yellow-orange-salmon scales into hw fringes.
Large reniform spot has brown center, faintly edged in black, then white, then black again.
|
Catocala habilis, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
 | #8817 briseis;
Briseis Underwing; wingspan: 60-70mm. Fws predominantly mottled dark-grey-brown with some lighter areas 1) between pm/subterminal lines, 2) at base of
am/pm lines along i. m., 3) over subreniform spot running diagonally toward costa. Pm lines lack greatly elongated, sharly pointed "teeth" near
apex. Hw fringe white, unbroken; inner black band (fairly even) reaches i. m..
probably rare
|
| #8795 Catocala palaeogama
; wingspan: 60-70mm.
Subreniform spot closed, does not approach pm line,
smaller than in C. habilis.
All forms have characteristic orange, heavily barred fringe to
apex, irregular bands on hws. Hw basal median
area heavily suffused with dark brown to black scales.
Dark bar in outer half of median area,
paralleling i. m. halfway between i. m. and light, closed subreniform spot.
Joe Garris photo.
|
| #8795 Catocala palaeogama
form phalanga; wingspan: 60-70mm.
In this form, fw basal area and subterminal
area are very dark against a much lighter background.
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.
|
Catocala palaeogama, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8770
Catocala innubens;
Betrothed; 55-72mm.
Fw mottled with white, grey and brown,
subrenifrom spot tends to be lighter in colour, although
sometimes obscured by indistinct blackish bar which runs from
middle of basal/thorax connection to just below much lighter
apex at o. m..
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, WO;
Scarlet; wingspan: 57-70mm.
Usually diffuse basal, anal dashes on otherwise light
grey, mottled fw.
Hw fringe white (often with some salmon scaling);
heavily checked.
"Tooth" just below pair of very elongated "teeth"
much reduced, quite rounded, usually allowing considerable room
for lighter patch of scales. Dark bar crosses thorax.
Reniform spot light, often with greenish cast.
Joe Garris image.
|
| ** 8772 Catocala consors WO;
Consort, wingspan: 70mm plus.
Fw with irregular am and pm narrow black lines. 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
|
Catocala andromedae,
Gloomy Underwing, (wingspan: 40-50mm).
Black underwings and dark grey fringe of hws,
coupled with dark i.m. of fws help to identify
this species. There is also a very dark "flying saucer" shape, adjoining
subreniform spot to midpoint of am line.
The "teeth" of pm line short and blunt,
outwardly edged with white. Subterminal line is also outwardly
edged with white.
|
| ** 8781
judith,
Judith's Underwing, (wingspan: 45-55mm),
is one of the smaller "black" underwings. Fw uniform
light grey with thin and only slightly darkened antemedial, median
and postmedial lines. No darkened dashes (slight anal dash)
or transverse lines. 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.
|
| ** 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.
|
| ** 8782
Catocala flebilis ;
Mournful, wingspan: 54-65mm.
Diffuse black band runs from basal area to
outer margin just below apex, interrupted by pale grey
subreniform spot. Reniform spot filled with brown,
additional brown outside postmedial line. No anal dash
as in angusi. Hws have white fringe.
|
Catocala flebilis, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8783 Catocala angusi
WO; Angus' Underwing, 60-74mm; Dark dashes/streaks in basal & anal areas distinguish
angusi. Reniform spot: light brown filling.
Hw fringe black except for white at apex.
Form lucetta has broad black band from basal area to
o.m., broken by reniform & subreniform spots.
|
| ** 8783 Catocala angusi
WO; Angus' Underwing, 60-74mm; Dark dashes/streaks in basal & anal areas distinguish
angusi. Reniform spot: light brown filling.
Hw fringe black except for white at apex.
Form lucetta: broad black band from basal area to
o.m., broken by reniform & subreniform spots.
|
|
Catocala dejecta;
Dejected; wingspan 56-73mm. Pale grey patch
from reniform and subreniform juncture to costal margin is
diagnostic. Note open, light "pork chop" shape of subreniform spot.
Two "teeth" in pml above subreniform spot relatively
short, blunt. Upper portion of aml thick, black;
lower half has light rounded lobes outlined in black.
Hw fringe white with black wing veins extending
like "teeth".
|
| Catocala luctuosa,
Underwing, (wingspan: mm).
Fw light grey (yellowish tint) clearly marked with a basal dash that continues with another dash through the
am line, followed by another anal dash almost forming bar parallel to im.
Hw fringe white, lightly barred at veins.
Fw pml "teeth" elongated and dark, continuing dark dar emanating from om just below apex.
|
|
Catocala retecta;
wingspan: 60-75mm.
Note light coloured, elongated and open subreniform spot
which interrupts dark, diffuse ark running through center of
wing from basal area (body-wing juncture) to fw
apex. Center of reniform spot brown and there is a brown
area just below costa running to inner margin just outside pm
line. Off-white hindwing fringe only lightly checked along
wing veins.
Joe Garris image.
|
Catocala retecta, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8784
obscura;
the Obscure Underwing, (wingspan: 60-72mm),
has dull, grey forewings, usually void of any significant dashes,
streaks, providing for easy identification. Am, median
and pm lines faint and subterminal line
region is only slightly paler than rest of fw.
Hw fringe is off-white, lightly checked on veins.
Joe Garris photo.
|
Catocala obscura, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| Catocala residua,
Residua Underwing, yes, (wingspan: 58-73mm),
Distinguished from C. obscura by grey hindwing
fringe of residua.
C. obscura has white to off-white fringe, tends to be
less common in northern portions of its range. Fw
subterminal line/area of C. residua tends to be pale as
is its open, elongated subreniform spot.
Devoid of significant markings
except for hint of dark bar running from basal area
through reniform spot to om just below apex.
|
Catocala residua, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8794
Catocala lacrymosa;
Tearful Underwing, 60-82mm; probably;
The forewing is highly variable with a mixture of black, brown
(wing tips and outside postmedial line) and dark grey scaling.
Usually whitish crescents, along the inner margin at base of am/pm lines.
The hindwings are black with white checkered fringe, turning black
near the anal angle. There are several different forms.
|
| ** 8794
Catocala lacrymosa;
Tearful Underwing, 60-82mm. Form paulina: lighter grey post median area & area along and parallel to i. m., in sharp contrast to
darker basal median areas.
Ken Childs live image of form paulina from Tennessee on lacrymosa file.
|
| ** 8794
Catocala lacrymosa;
Tearful Underwing, 60-82mm.
In form evelina there is a wide black band along the forewing inner margin.
|
| ** 8794
Catocala lacrymosa;
Tearful Underwing, 60-82mm;
In form albomarginata there is an abundance of white scaling on the forewing.
|
| ** 8794
Catocala lacrymosa;
Tearful Underwing, 60-82mm;; TP.
Form "zelica", has black basal patch and strong black subterminal line.
|
| ** 8791
Catocala insolabilis;
Inconsolable, wingspan: 65-75mm;
Fw light grey with blackish shading along inner
margin. Am/pm lines thin. Hw fringe very narrow and grey, becoming whiter toward
apex. Ventral surface clearly distinguishes insolabis, being almost completely black except for some white in basal area.
|
| ** 8780
Catocala robinsoni;
70-80mm.
Fws relatively plain pale grey.
Female has basal dash, absent in male.
Currata French, 1882, female form: weak basal dash.
Rare form missouriensis Schwarz, 1915: dark, broad bar
extending from basal area to o.m. just below
apex. Lighter grey rnfm, subrnfm spots break bar
in missouriensis, found from PA. to FL.
Hw fringe: White; bands on ventral surface prominent.
|
| ** 8792
Catocala vidua;
Widow; wingspan: 70-80mm
Fw ground colour light grey.
Distinguishing dark arc runs through top of reniform spot
to just below apex. Heavy, dark anal, basal
dashes, connecting to dark median bar, running parallel to i. m..
Am line thick, black in its upper half. Reniform spot consists of two almost concentric irregular ovals.
Subreniform spot light, open, but constricted as it
meets pm line. Hw black, broad, white fringe, lightly
interrupted.
|
Catocala vidua, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
Large Black Underwings (Banded): Wingspans: 70-80mm
| ** 8803 Catocala relicta
;
Forsaken, White, Relict; 70-80mm:
Considerable variation with regard to black/white
concentrations on fws.
Typical specimens have basal and subterminal areas with
blackish scales.
Black hws, with brilliant even white inner band and
white fringe, are distinctive. June until October.
|
| ** 8803 Catocala relicta;
Forsaken, White, Relict; 70-80mm: Considerable variation with regard to black/white
concentrations on fws. Form clara: basal and subterminal areas predominantly white.
Typical specimens have basal and subterminal areas with blackish scales. Black hws, with brilliant even white inner band and
white fringe, are distinctive. June until October.
|
| ** 8803 Catocala relicta
;
Forsaken, White, Relict; 70-80mm:
Considerable variation with regard to black/white
concentrations on fws.
Form phrynia:
evenly dusted with grey over entire forewing.
Typical specimens have basal and subterminal areas with
blackish scales. Black hws, with brilliant even white inner band and
white fringe, are distinctive. June until October, poplars and willows
|
Catocala retecta, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8802 Catocala cerogama
BS;
Yellow-Banded; wingspan 70-80mm.
Several different forms. Pm line distinct, dark
with elongate pair of projections. Pm and am lines meet im in relative proximity. Closed subreniform spot
lighter than surrounding areas, shaped like an
arrowhead with point toward body. Hws
distinctive. Jean-Benoît Duval image. BS: Hampshire: October. |
|
Form ruperti: Forewings are almost uniform grey-brown with white scales outlining subterminal line.
The hindwings are
distinctive. Tim Dyson image. |
|
Form bunkeri: Forewings are dark in median and basal areas.
Hw golden band is reduced in thickness. Basal hairs are brown instead of yellow.
The hindwings are
distinctive. Tim Dyson image. |
Catocala cerogama, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
Large Orange-Salmon Underwings: Wingspans: 65mm,
usually 70-95mm
| ** 8822
meskei; Meske's Underwing;
wingspan: 65-75mm.
Fws less distinctly marked compared to unijuga;
some red-orange at hw apex and just inside
fringe along the outer margin in meskei that is lacking in unijuga.
The forewing subreniform spot is opened or connected to the
postmedian line. The hindwing postmedian band is nearly straight,
turned in and tapering near the anal angle.
Tim Dyson image. |
| ** 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, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8857.1
Catocala umbrosa;
mm;
Double brown am line, inward line fainter, filled with off white; reniform spot brown
center outlined in black , off white and black again; subreniform, large, pale brown, closed.
Pm line wit htwo elongated upper teeth, next tooth reduced, next two progressively longer, rounded,
final lobe rounded and shorter. HW with dark scaling/hairs in basal median area along im
|
|
| ** 8772
Catocala consors;
Consort, 70mm plus.
The fw has irregular am and pm narrow black lines. 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. unconfirmed
|
| ** 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. maybe (probably rare)
|
| ** 8805 unijuga;
Once-married; 70-90mm.
Fairly wide hw black inner band (almost reaching inner margin); very distinctive patterning in fw. Meskei tend to
have a narrower band and a dustier (less distinct) looking forewing.
Semirelicta tend to have inner bands that terminate well before the
inner margins.
Also note the very white fringe on both the forewings and hindwings.
Carroll Rudy image.
|
| ** 8806 Catocala parta;
Mother Underwing, 70-85mm.
Black dashes in basal, subapical and anal areas. The hindwings may be yellow to
yellowish-orange but more often are salmon-red. Note the
face-head-like markings on the thorax.
In the hindwing, the first (nearest the apex) black protrusion into
the white fringe is "noticeably" larger than the others.
|
| ** 8798 Catocala neogama;
wingspan 70-85mm.
Brown head, thorax, larger size as compared to
C. palaeogama. Neogama tend to be slightly smaller
than subnata, have darker grey brown fws with more
pronounced markings. Examination of hind tibia needed
for id. Neogama's: flattened,
unevenly, sparsely spined; subnata's: cylindrical,
spines dense, uniform in distribution.
Joe Garris photo.
|
| ** 8797 Catocala subnata;
Youthful Underwing: 75-90mm.
Fws greyish white with blue-grey and light brown scales,
usually with hws brighter
yellow than those of neogama. Neogama usually
have basal dash; absent in male subnata, but present in females.
Magnification of hind tibia needed for id:
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.
|
Catocala subnata, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** 8796 Catocala nebulosa
; Clouded; wingspan 75-86mm.
Prominent dark brown upper-half-basal patch 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. Maybe ??
|
|
** 8804 C. marmorata;
Marbled; wingspan 85-95mm
Dark fw arc runs from costa down through reniform spot to outer margin just below apex.
The subrenifrom spot is light, is bordered inwardly above by a white patch, and is
connected to the pm line by a line rather than being open.
|
Large Pink Underwings: Wingspans: 70-95mm
| ** 8833 Catocala concumbens
Sleepy Underwing or
Pink Underwing (wingspan: 60-75mm).
This brown thoracic collar is quite evident in this image as is the
interruption in the pm line by the open subreniform spot.
The white hindwing fringe is only lightly checked
on the wing veins. The vibrant pink bans are
distinct in colour and also in their relatively smooth contour.
|
| ** 8832 Catocala cara;
Darling; wingspan 70-85mm.
Note deep maroon almost purple cast to fwis, mixed with
very pale green. Lower half of am and pm lines is barely
visible. No distinctive bars or dashes. The two upper
"teeth" on pm line are thin and long.
Hw bands are pink. Heavy black checking on
off-white hindwing fringe. Relatively thick black median band of
hw almost reaches inner margin which is usually heavily
adorned with dark hairs.
Tim Dyson image.
|
Catocala caraa, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
| ** Catocala carissima;
wingspan 70-85mm. Distinct light grey brown area at fw apex, preceded just inside pm line by slightly darker patch.
Am and pm lines sharp and dark.
Hw inner black band wide, complete, merges with extensive grey-black scaling along im. Hw fringe cream coloured.
|
|
** 8834 amatrix
Sweetheart Underwing; (wingspan 75-95mm).
Very skittish, frequently hides in caves, under
bridges, under tree bark, etc. by day, resting with head down.
Hw patterning and colouration similar to that of
C. concumbens, but large size (wingspan 75-95mm)
and dark bar running from basal area to just below apex
distinguishes C. amatrix. See large
Catocala amatrix courtesy of
Joan F. Rickert.
|
|
** 8834 amatrix form selecta
Sweetheart Underwing; (wingspan 75-95mm)
Very skittish and frequently hides in caves, under
bridges, under tree bark, etc. by day, resting with head down.
Several forms, including selecta (to the left)
which lacks dark bar on forewing. Hesseli: melanic form;
pallida: very pale form.
|
|
** 8834 amatrix form hesseli
Sweetheart Underwing; (wingspan 75-95mm)
Very skittish and frequently hides in caves, under
bridges, under tree bark, etc. by day, resting with head down.
The melanic form hesseli is very dark and displays dark basal hairs in the hindwing.
|
Catocala amatrix, New Haven County, August 27, 2014, "rayrard"
|
