Created/dedicated as per personal communication with Steve Nanz, August 2006
Updated as per personal communication with Matthew D. Arey
Updated as per research compiled Larry Gall, April 2010
Updated as per personal communication with Steve Lemieux, July-August-September, 2011
Updated as per BAMONA; August 5, 2011

Catocala of Maine

Catocala coelebs, Monhegan Island, Maine,
August 30, 2006, courtesy of Steve Nanz.

This page, created by Bill Oehlke, is dedicated to Steve Nanz who has granted me permission to post his beautiful Catocala images from Monhegan Island, Lincoln County, off the coast of southcentral Maine.

Steve reports the following from Monhegan Island, Maine: Catocala badia, Catocala coelebs, Catocala badia coelebs intergrade, Catocala concumbens, Catocala blandula, Catocala crataegi, Catocala parta, Catocala praeclara and Catocala ultronia.

Many thanks also to Matthew D. Arey who reports the following from Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3:

Catocala relicta (The famous and unique White Underwing) - 3
Catocala unijuga - 6
Catocala briseis - 3
Catocala sordida - 9
Catocala coelebs - 1 (a rarely encountered species)
Catocala antinympha - 27 (plentiful)
Catocala crataegi - 14
Catocala gracilis - 2
Catocala ilia - 1 (unusual this far north)
Catocala concumbens - 1

In addition to the species reported by Steve and Matthew, I have added quite a few to the Maine list, based on generalized range data.

As of April 4, 2010, this page has been further updated as per research data compiled by Larry Gall.

I would like to continue to refine the listings to county levels so images and data (date, location at least to county level, bait, lights) would be very much appreciated. Please send same to Bill Oehlke. All images that I use on my websites remain the property of respective photographers and images are credited as such.

The Identification Keys Diagram should help you understand the terminology I have used in describing the various species.

You can visit Maine Sphingidae from the preceding link.

As of August 5, 2011, there are no Maine Catocala sightings recorded on the BAMONA website. Please also forward sightings to BAMONA via the link at the top of the page.

Many thanks also to Steve Lemieux who has begun (July-August-September 2011) to send me beautiful images and data from Sidney, Kennebec County (also Somerset County), Maine.


Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-45mm

**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.

** 8878.1 lineella; Little Lined Underwing; wingspan: 35-40mm. This species is without hw marginal black band. Fw subreniform spot is pale and boldy outlined with black. There is similar light brownish-gray patch in upper half of median area near pm line, and just between subreniform spot and am line there is similarly coloured light patch paralleling am lne. The reniform spot is dark, less distinct and in a generally darker area.

** 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 is 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 the anal angle. I made the determination on the moth to the left based on dark scaling along the inner margin limited to median area and submarginal "teeth" relatively short and blunt. Tim Dyson image.

Catocala sordida Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-56mm
These tend to be slightly larger on average than preceding group.

** 8876 Catocala micronympha, the Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm). John Himmelman image. 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. High variability. Full size Joe Garris photo of C. micronympha form hero.

** 8876 Catocala micronympha form gisela, the Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
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. Form "gisela" Meyer has a forewing that is mostly black. Leroy Simon image.

** 8876 Catocala micronympha form hero, the Little Nymph Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm). 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. Form "hero" H. Edwards has a median area that is 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, the 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 a hindwing that is all black.

** 8877 connubialis, Connubial Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm). FW is highly variable and there are several different forms: "sancta" Hulst is typical form and has forewings with white ground colour and sharply contrasting black lines and markings. There is also brown shading between pm 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 melanic form with fws that are dark green, almost black. Hw has separate anal spot and outer band ends with straight cut.

Catocala pretiosa Precious Underwing; 40-50mm; Quite similar to crataegi and mira, but pretiosa has considerable creamy white colouration in median area. Lower portion of basal area is also light, not dark as in crataegi. Hw inner black band forms a loop and the outer band is broken (not complete as in mira, followed by a dot that tapers to the anal angle.

** 8847 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.

Catocala gracilis Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

** 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. Fw 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. Upper of two larger pml teeth is longer, wider than lower tooth. Note double, white filled amls. Lighter, subcircular patch, outlined in black, brown on lower thorax.

Catocala praeclara, Monhegan Island, Sullivan County,
September 1, 2006, courtesy of Steve Nanz.

** 8867 Catocala blandula; Charming Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm.
Pale basal area of fw distinguishes mira from blandula (dark brown) and crataegi (black). Fw has dark contrasting lines as in crataegi. There is also considerable brown in subterminal area and subreniform spot is very conspicuous and usually brown. A light area runs obliquely from the costa to the subreniform spot. hw 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: Pale basal area of fw distinguishes 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 very conspicuous and usually brown. Light area runs obliquely from costa to subreniform spot. Noticeable space along inner margin between am and pm lines. Hw is deep orange and has a complete inner black band. 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. Hw has outer black band, broken near the anal angle, distinguishing crataegi from blandula. Tim Dyson image.

Catocala crataegi Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey
Catocala crataegi, Monhegan Island, Sullivan County,
August 31, 2007, courtesy of Steve Nanz.

** 8775 antinympha; Sweetfern Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm.: The very dark grey, almost black, forewing ground colour distinguishes antinympha. There is some brown shading in the subreniform spot and also just outside the postmedial line. The hindwing is amber to pale orange. There is also the form multoconspicua Reiff, 1919 with a pale, almost white subreniform spot. Tim Dyson image.

Catocala antinympha Washington County, July 28; Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

** 8775 antinympha form multiconspicua; Sweetfern Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm.: There is also the form multiconspicua Reiff, 1919 with a pale, almost white subreniform spot. Multiconspicua also has a much more contrasting forewing than the "normal" antinympha. The very dark, and extensive dark grey to black hindwing fringe is diagnostic in all forms. Steve Lemieux image.

Catocala antinympha form multiconspicua, Sidney, Kennebec County, July 29, Sept. 6, Steve Lemieux

** 8776 badia; Bay Underwing, 50-60mm. "FW buff-brown, deeper brown in basal area & within pm line; contrastingly paler beyond pm line; lines faint, barely traceable. HW yellow-orange with black bands; often with terminal yellow-orange line at fringe base. Specimens from NH may appear transitional to coelebs, having sharp bend of upper part of pm area and more distinct lines of that species."

Catocala badia, Monhegan Island, Sullivan County,
August 31, 2007, courtesy of Steve Nanz.

** 8776 badia coelebs; Old Maid Underwing, wingspan 54-56mm.: The gray region from the forewing 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. maybe

Catocala badia coelebs Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

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 the melanic form nigrescens, the dorsal forewing is very dark. Even darker subapical arc, basal dash and dash near anal angle are still visible. Dark basal hairs on hindwing. Harold J. Vermes slide, used with permission from his son.

Catocala ultronia form celia.

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 form celia, Sidney, Kennebec County, August 4, 17 (3), 2011, Steve Lemieux

** 8779 serena Serene Underwing Head and collar and abdomen are brown while thorax is grey. Am and pm lines are thin but very dark and distinct on an otherwise drab, almost uniformly olive-grey forewing. 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.

#8778 Catocala habilis; 55-65mm: Large thoracic "M" and "pork chop" shaped, light sbrnfrm spot becoming very dark in constriction at juncture with narrow, dark, distinct pm line. Pm line outwardly lined with narrow suffusion of white scales, followed by broader brown scaled band, another broader suffusion of white scales up to very regular dentation of sbtrmnl line. Always significant "bleeding" of yellow-orange to salmon scales into hw fringes. Large reniform spot brown center, faintly edged with black, white, black again.

#8817 briseis; Briseis Underwing; 60-70mm: Fws predominantly mottled dark-grey-brown with some lighter areas 1) between pm and subterminal lines, 2) at very base of am pm lines along inner margin, and 3) over subreniform spot running diagonally toward costa. Pm lines have no greatly elongated and sharly pointed "teeth" near apex. Hw fringe white and unbroken and inner black band (fairly even) reaches i. m..

Catocala briseis Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

#8795 Catocala palaeogama ; wingspan: 60-70mm. Subreniform spot closed, does not approach pm line, is smaller than in C. habilis. All forms have characteristic orange, heavily barred fringe to apex, and 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.

** 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. rare

** 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: Usually diffuse basal, anal dashes on light grey, mottled fw. Hw fringe white (often with some salmon scaling) and 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 tristis, Gloomy Underwing, (wingspan: 40-50mm). Black underwings, dark grey hw fringe, coupled with dark inner margin of forewings help to identify this species. Very dark "flying saucer" shape, adjoining subreniform spot to midpoint of am line. "Teeth" of pm line are short and blunt, outwardly edged with white. Subterminal line also outwardly edged with white.

** 8781 judith, Judith's Underwing, (wingspan: 45-55mm). One of smaller "black" underwings. Fw is 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 slightly darkened while area just before subterminal line is a bit lighter. Note absence of hw white fringe. Joe Garris photo.

** 8782 Catocala flebelis ; Mournful Underwing, 54-65mm; Diffuse black band runs from basal area to o. m. 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. If present, probably only in southern counties; rare.

** 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.

** 8790 Catocala dejecta; 56-73mm. Dejected Underwing quite similar to Catocala retecta. Light coloured subreniform spot open, distinct "pork-chop" shape and separates much darker median area below subreniform spot from very light area to costa above spot. Lower quarter of submarginal area also much darker in C. dejecta than in C. retecta. If present, probably only in southern counties. rare

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 luctuosa, Underwing, (wingspan: 70mm). 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.

** 8784 obscura; Obscure Underwing, (wingspan: 60-72mm), has dull, grey forewings, usually void of any significant dashes or streaks, providing for easy identification. The am, median and pm lines of obscura faint, subterminal line region only slightly paler than rest of fw.
Hw fringe off-white, lightly checked on veins. Joe Garris photo.

Catocala residua; Residua Underwing, (wingspan: 60-73mm), distinguished from Catocala obscura by grey hw fringe of residua. Catocala obscura has white to off-white fringe and tends to be less common in northern portions of its range. Fw 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 hint of dark bar running from basal area through reniform spot to o. m. just below apex.

Catocala residua, Athol, Worcester County, September 4, 2011, Dave Small.

** 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. rare if present, and probably only in southern counties

** 8791 Catocala insolabilis; Inconsolable, wingspan: 65-75mm; Fw light grey with blackish shading along inner margin. Antemedial and postmedial lines are 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.
Vernon A. Brou image.

** 8792 Catocala vidua; Widow; 70-80mm. Fw ground colour light grey. Distinguishing dark arc runs through top of reniform spot to just below apex. Heavy, dark anal and basal dashes, connecting to dark median bar, running parallel to i. m. Am line thick, black in its upper half. Reniform spot with two almost concentric irregular ovals. Subreniform spot light, open, constricted as it meets pm line. Hw black with broad, white fringe, lightly interrupted. Marie Winn image.

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 relicta Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey
Catocala relicta, Hinckley, Somerset County, August 30, September 1, 3, 6, 2011, Steve Lemieux.
Catocala relicta, Sidney, Kennebec County, September 3, 2011, Steve Lemieux.

** 8802 Catocala cerogama; Yellow-Banded; 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.

** 8802 Catocala cerogama; Yellow-Banded; 70-80mm.

Form ruperti: Forewings are almost uniform grey-brown with white scales outlining subterminal line.

The hindwings are distinctive. Tim Dyson image.

** 8802 Catocala cerogama; Yellow-Banded; 70-80mm.

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, Sidney, Kennebec County, August 24, 2011, Steve Lemieux


Large Orange-Salmon Underwings: Wingspans: 65mm, usually 70-95mm

** 8822 meskei; Meske's Underwing; wingspan: 65-75mm. Fws less distinctly marked compared to unijuga and there is some red-orange at hindwing apex and just inside fringe along outer margin in meskei that is lacking in unijuga. Fw subreniform spot is opened or connected to postmedian line. HW postmedian band is nearly straight, turned in and tapering near the anal angle. yes Tim Dyson image.

** 8821 semirelicta; Semirelict Underwing; wingspan: 65-75mm. Fw ground colour white with dark lines and shadings. Diffuse dark bar runs from center of basal area to outer margin a few mm above anal angle. Note regular dentation of st line. Inner black bar on lower wing usually terminates well before inner margin. The form "atala" has forewing that is uniformly grey. Unijuga is usually larger and has less contrasting black lines. Inner black bar on unijuga usually reaches inner margin. Tim Dyson image. historical records only

** 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 Washington County, Maine, July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey

** 8771 Catocala piatrix ; Penitent, wingspan: 68-84mm. Fw: light-colored band/bar extending from light coloured, triangular subreniform spot along am line to costa. Brown, kidney-shaped reniform spot surrounded in pale grey, outlined in black, usually with distinct black along wing veins in a dark area outside the reniform spot. Hw: fringe lightly barred; lighter in color than deeper orange on rest of wing.

** 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.

Catocala neogama, Sidney, Kennebec County, August 7, 2011, Steve Lemieux

** 8806 Catocala parta; Mother Underwing, wingspan: 70-85mm. The black dashes in the basal, subapical and anal areas help to identify this species. 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.

** 8805 unijuga; Once-married; wingspan: 70-90mm. Unijuga has fairly wide black inner band (almost reaching inner margin) in hindwing and very distinctive patterning in forewing. Meskei tend to have narrower band and dustier (less distinct) looking forewing. Semirelicta tend to have inner bands terminating well before i. m. Note very white fringe on fwgs and hwgs. Carroll Rudy image.

Catocala unijuga Washington County, Maine, July 28 - Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey
Catocala unijuga, Sidney, Kennebec County, August 14, 23, 2011, Steve Lemieux.

** 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.


Medium-Large Pink Underwings: Wingspans: 70-95mm

** 8833 concumbens Sleepy Underwing or Pink Underwing (wingspan: 60-75mm).

Brown thoracic collar quite evident in this image as is interruption in pm line by open subreniform spot.
White hindwing fringe only lightly checked on wing veins. Vibrant pink bans distinct in colour and also in relatively smooth contour.

Catocala concumbens Washington Co., July 28 Aug 3, Matthew D. Arey
Catocala concumbens, Hinckley, Somerset Co., September 2, 2011, Steve Lemieux.

** 8832 Catocala cara; Darling; wingspan 70-85mm; Note deep maroon almost purple cast to forewings, mixed with very pale green. Lower half of am and pm lines barely visible. No distinctive bars or dashes. The two upper "teeth" on the pm line are thin and long.
Hw bands are pink. Heavy black checking on off-white hindwing fringe. Relatively thick black hw median band almost reaches inner margin which is usually heavily adorned with dark hairs.
Tim Dyson image.

Catocala cara, Hinckley, Somerset County, September 1, 2011, Steve Lemieux.

** 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.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

Eggs of many North American Saturniidae species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from within the US.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Catocala Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.


Click on the flashing butterfly to show appreciation for this site
and to visit other insect related sites.

Return to Canadian Index

Return to Main Index