Catocala louiseae
kah-TOCK-uh-lahm lew-EES-ay
J. Bauer, 1965

Catocala louiseae, male, Louisiana, courtesy of Vernon A. Brou.

The moth from Louisiana is much more likely the recently (Kons & Borth, 2017), described Catoala bastropi from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Specimens originally identified as louiseae from those four states are more likely Catocala bastropi.

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Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Erebidae, Leach, [1815] Subfamily: Erebinae, Leach, [1815] Tribe: Catocalini, Boisduval, [1828] Genus: Catocala, Schrank, 1802

DISTRIBUTION:

Catocala louiseae, Louise's Underwing, (wingspan: 40mm) flies in southern North Carolina south to Florida and west to Arkansas (probably bastropi) and Texas (probably bastropi).

It has also been confirmed in Georgia, Louisiana (probably bastropi), Massachusetts (probably as yet unnamed), Missouri (probably bastropi), New Jersey (probably as yet unnamed)and Oklahoma (probably bastropi).

I think true Catocala louiseae is probably limited to southern North Carolina, South Carolina (unconfirmed), Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

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. The hindwing is a deep yellow orange and the outer black band is interrupted and then followed by a dot, ending before the inner margin. The moth to the right is likely from Georgia, courtesy of James Adams; it is likely Catocala louiseae. (Bill Oehlke)

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala louiseae are usually on the wing in May.

Rick Gillmore, May 7, 2007, writes, "C. louiseae is a blueberry feeder."

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala louiseae females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their antennae to track the scent plume.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive, although some species seem very host specific. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Vaccinium .......

Blueberry

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