Catocala from Iowa

Catocala unijuga, courtesy of Carroll Rudy, Calumet County, Wisconsin,
August 26, 2006, id confirmed by Larry Gall.

The following checklist for Iowa is very tentative and is nothing more than a Wisconsin checklist that was sent to me by Jeff Crolla. The list was compiled for Wisconsin in 2000 (Ferge & Balogh). Many species from Wisconsin probably have their southern range limit in Wisconsin and do not fly in Iowa.

I have rearranged the order, grouping by size and hindwing colour.

In most cases the hindwings can be viewed in the individual species files. They are sometimes diagnostic.

I suspect there are some species from northern Wisconsin that probably do not range south in to Iowa, and there are probably some more southerly species found in Iowa that are not included in this Wisconsin list.

Update: On October 6, 2008, I was doing a search for Catocala umbrosa and encountered Insects of Iowa, a website maintained by James O. Durbin. Those species confirmed by James O. Durbin are indicated by JOD. I have added nine species, based on Durbin's list.

I have retained most of the Wisconsin species, not listed by Durbin, in case they range into northern or unsampled areas of Iowa.

Sightings/electronic images would be greatly appreciated to help imporve the accuracy of this list.

Little Yellow-Orange Underwings: Wingspans: 35-45mm **8878 Catocala alabamae; Alabama Underwing; 30-40mm; JOD; Uniform greenish-grey forewing may have thin but dark (contrasting) medial lines or they may be nearly absent (titania); alabamae often displays dash in median/anal angle area, missing or nearly absent in titania. Brown shading between post medial line and subterminal line. Hindwing inner black band thin, outer band thick, truncated before being followed by large black dot. Early flight season. **8878 Catocala amica; Girlfriend; wingspan: 35-40mm; WI/JOD; 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; WI/JOD; No marginal black band on hw. Fw subreniform spot pale, boldy outlined with black. Similar light brownish-gray patch in upper half median area near pm line, just between subreniform spot & antemedian line is similarly coloured light patch paralleling am lne. Reniform spot dark, less distinct, in generally darker area. Form "curvifascia": diffuse black-brown arc from mid costa region toward mid outer margin. ** 8874 Catocala minuta; Little Underwing; 35-45mm; WI/JOD; Fw grey-brown, widened (near costa only), white st line. Hw Outer black band unbroken & inner band in complete loop, considerable brown scaling along im. Forms: "eureka" Schwarz: blackish area between am & pm lines; "hiseri" Cassino: dull grey fw, very faint markings; "mellitula" Hulst: blackish basal patch from costa to im; "obliterata" Schwarz: melanic form, almost completely black fw; "parvula" W. H. Edwards: broad dark patch along fw im. ** 8873 similis; Similar Underwing; 35-45mm; WI/JOD; Pale triangular patch from postmedial line along costa, pointed at apex, & light-coloured, tear-shaped reniform spot distinguish this species. Subreniform spot projects considerably beyonde reniform anteriorally at right angle to line of subreniform. Many specimens also have small, light coloured, flattened oval spot about halfway between pm & am lines at about midpoint of reniform spot. Ppm line almost straight for most of length. ** 8846 sordida; Sordid Underwing; 37-45mm; WI/JOD; Fw lighter along costa, darker along im. Dark medial lines especially evident through lighter shades near costa. Hw outer black band broken near anal angle. I made the determination on moth to right based on dark scaling along inner margin limited to median area and submarginal "teeth" relatively short & blunt. Tim Dyson image. dulciola; Quiet/Sweet Underwing, wingspan: 40-45mm; JOD; A double, black, almost smooth antemedial line (inner line broken only near the costa) with other lines obscure distinguishes dulciola. There is also a dark basal dash on an otherwise plain, light grey forewing. generally more northerly species 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); WI/JOD; 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; 35-50mm; Fw highly variable, several different forms: "sancta" Hulst: typical form, forewings with white ground colour & sharply contrasting black lines & markings. Brown shading between post medial & subterminal lines; "cordelia" H. Edwards: coloured as above but markings are faint; "pulverulenta" Brower: grey-green forewings with faint markings, sometimes none; "broweri" Muller: melanic form with forewings dark green, almost black. Hw has separate anal spot & outer band ends with a straight cut. Leroy Simon image. questionable, generally more easterly species ** 8864 Catocala grynea ; Woody Underwing, wingspan: 40-50mm; WI/JOD; 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; WI/JOD; 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; 40-50mm; WI/JOD; Fw pale basal area distinguishes mira from blandula (dark brown) & crataegi (black). Fw lacks dark contrasting lines of crataegi & blandula. Considerable brown in subterminal area and subreniform spot very conspicuous & usually brown. Light area runs obliquely from costa to subreniform spot. Noticeable space along inner margin between antemedial and postmedial lines. Hw deep orange, complete inner black band. The outer black band is unbroken. Tim Dyson image. ** 8858 Catocala crataegi WO; Hawthorn Underwing; 40-50mm; WI/JOD; Determination based on dark (black) shading in forewing basal area continuing along im to anal angle & brown shading beyond pm line. 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. ** 8841 Catocala abbreviatella; Abbreviated Underwing; 40-50mm; WI/JOD; Fw uniformly colored with narrow black lines on anterior half. Brown reniform spot ringed with black. Hw outer black band abbreviated, continued with dot. Inner black band ends before im. Similar species: C. nuptialis: solid black reniform spot. C. whitneyi: broad dark triangles in middle of fw. ** 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. ** 8843 whitneyi; Whitney's Underwing; 43-50mm. Catocala whitneyi is similar to abbreviatella Grote, and nuptialis Walker, but generally flies later in the season where the species overlap. The two black wedges/triangles on the forewing, one over the reniform spot and the other just outside the antemedial line, distinguish whitneyi. Gerald Fauske 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. ** 8775 antinympha; Sweetfern Underwing; 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. questionable, generally more northerly species ** 8772 clintoni; Clinton's Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm; WI/JOD; The black basal dash distinguishes clintoni from illecta and abbreviatella, both of which lack the dash. Vernon Brou image. ** 8776 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. questionable, generally more northerly species Midsized Orange-Salmon-Red-Scarlet Underwings: Wingspans: 50-72mm ** 8857 Catocala ultronia; Ultronia Underwing, wingspan: 50-63mm; WI/JOD; 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. ** 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. ** 8779 serena Serene Underwing; WI/JOD. 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. #8778 Catocala habilis; 55-65mm; WI/JOD; Note large "M" on thorax & "pork chop" shaped, light coloured subreniform spot, becoming very dark in constriction at juncture with pm line which is narrow, dark & distinct, outwardly lined with narrow suffusion of white scales, followed by broader band of brown scales, then another broader suffusion of white scales up to very regular dentation of st line. Significant "bleeding" of yellow-orange to salmon scales into hw fringes. Large reniform spot has brown center, edged with black, then white, then black. Joe Garris image. #8817 briseis; Briseis Underwing; 60-70mm; Fws predominantly mottled dark-grey-brown with some lighter areas 1) between pm & st lines, 2) at base of am & pm lines along im, and 3)over subreniform spot running diagonally toward costa. Pm lines with no greatly elongated, sharly pointed "teeth" near apex. Hw fringe is white and unbroken and the inner black band (fairly even) reaches the inner margin. Tim Dyson image. questionable, generally more northerly species #8795 Catocala palaeogama ; 60-70mm; WI/JOD; Subreniform spot is closed, does not approach pm line, 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 inner margin halfway between inner margin & light, closed subreniform spot. #8795 Catocala palaeogama form phalanga; 60-70mm. 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. ** 8770 Catocala innubens; Betrothed; 55-72mm; WI/JOD; The forewing is mottled with white, grey and brown, and the subrenifrom spot tends to be lighter in colour, although it is sometimes obscured by an indistinct blackish bar which runs from the middle of the basal/thorax connection to just below the much lighter apex at the 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; 57-70mm; WI/JOD; Usually diffuse basal & anal dashes on otherwise light grey, mottled forewing. 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 tends be to light, with greenish cast. ** 8840 Catocala illecta; Magdalen Underwing, wingspan: 60-70mm; WI/JOD; 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. Solid Black Underwings: Smallest to Largest, Similar Species Paired orba, Orba Underwing; 40-45mm; JOD; 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. ** 8781 judith; WI/JOD; Judith's Underwing; 45-55mm; one of smaller "black" underwings. Fw uniform light grey with thin, only slightly darkened am, median & pm lines. No darkened dashes (slight anal dash) or transverse lines. Reniform area slightly darkened while the area just before subterminal line is bit lighter. Note absence of hw white fringe. Joe Garris photo. ** 8782 Catocala flebilis ; Mournful, 54-65mm; JOD; Diffuse black band running 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 there is in angusi. Hindwings have white fringe. J. K. Adams image. ** 8773 Catocala epione ; Epione Underwing, wingspan: 55-65mm; WI/JOD; 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 residua, the Residua Underwing, 60-73mm; ; JOD; distinguished from Catocala obscura by 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. 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 the hint of a dark bar running from the basal area through the reniform spot to the outer margin just below the apex. Catocala retecta; 60-75mm; WI/JOD; Note light coloured, elongated, open subreniform spot interrupting dark, diffuse ark running through center of wing from basal area (body-wing juncture) to forewing apex. Reniform spot center 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. Catocala dejecta, 56-73mm; Hodge #8790; JOD; 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. ** 8784 obscura; the Obscure Underwing; 60-72mm); WI/JOD; 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. ** 8783 Catocala angusi WO; Angus' Underwing, 60-74mm. Dark dashes/streaks in basal & anal areas. Reniform spot: light brown filling. Hw fringe black except for white region at apex. James K. Adams image. ** 8783 Catocala angusi WO; Angus' Underwing, 60-74mm; Dark dashes/streaks in basal & anal areas. Reniform spot: light brown filling. Hw fringe black except for white region at apex. Form lucetta has broad black band from basal area to om, broken only by reniform & subreniform spots. James K. Adams image. ulalume; Ulalume Underwing; 62-75mm; JOD; 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. ** 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. ** 8791 Catocala insolabilis; Inconsolable, wingspan: 65-75mm; WI/JOD; 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. ** 8780 Catocala robinsoni; 70-80mm; ; JOD; Fws relatively plain pale grey. Female has basal dash, absent in male. Currata French, 1882: female form, having weak basal dash. Rare form missouriensis Schwarz, 1915: dark, broad bar extending from basal area to om just below apex. Lighter grey rnfm & subrnfm spots break bar in missouriensis, from PA to FL. Hw white fringe; ventral surface bands prominent. ** 8792 Catocala vidua; Widow; wingspan: 70-80mm; WI/JOD; Fw ground colour light grey. Distinguished 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 inner margin. The am line is thick and black in its upper half. Reniform spot hs 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. ** 8793 Catocala maestosa; Sad Underwing; 78-98mm Maesotsa quite similar to, although usually larger than, vidua. Both have dark arc from costa, above reniform spot, to outer margin just below apex. Maesotsa, however, lacks dark bar, found on vidua, parallel to inner margin. Brown reniform spot, brown shading just outside postmedial line. Hw fringe is white, narrow and heavily barred. 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 ** 8802 Catocala cerogama; Yellow-Banded; wingspan 70-80mm; JOD; 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. Large Orange-Salmon Underwings: Wingspans: 65mm, usually 70-95mm ** 8822 meskei; Meske's Underwing, yes; 65-75mm. Fws less distinctly marked compared to unijuga and there is some red-orange at hw apex and just inside the 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. ** 8821 semirelicta; Semirelict Underwing; wingspan: 65-75mm The forewing ground colour is white with dark lines and shadings. A diffuse dark bar runs from center of basal area to the outer margin a few mm above the anal angle. Note regular dentation of st line. The inner black bar on the lower wing usually terminates well before the inner margin. The form "atala" has a forewing that is uniformly grey. Unijuga is usually larger and has less contrasting black lines. The inner black bar on unijuga usually reaches the inner margin. Tim Dyson image. questionable, generally more northerly species ** 8801 Catocala ilia; 65-82mm; WI/JOD; Catocala ilia several different forms, most have characteristic white area in and around reniform spot. Diffuse dark arc running from this spot to just below outer apex. Except in worn specimens and darkest forms, white dots near fw outer margin in character with the overall "contrasting" appearance of moth. Joe Garris image. ** 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. ** 8857.1 Catocala umbrosa; mm; JOD; 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 ** 8808 luciana; Luciana Underwing; 70-80mm. Luciana has pale grey brown fw with very distinct am & pm lines. Subreniform spot has elongated narrow "tail" that seems to open through postmedial line. Inner black band of hindwing does not reach inner margin. Fringe checked and paler (almost yellow) than salmon ground colour. ** 8771 Catocala piatrix ; Penitent, wingspan: 68-84mm. Fw: light-colored band/bar extending from light coloured, triangular subreniform spot along the am line to the 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;s lighter in color than deeper orange on rest of wing. Catocala junctura; Joined Underwing; 67-85mm; WI/JOD; Fw usually dark brownish-gray to evenly powdered blue-grey w/o significant markings. Doubled reniform spot often obscure. Thin, slightly darker am & pm lines run from costa to im, not widely spaced at im. Hw salmon or orange-pink with narrow inner black band turning sharply not meeting dark-haired im, distinguishing it from unijuga. Gary Anweiler image. ** 8805 unijuga; Once-married; 70-90mm ; WI/JOD;Catocala unijuga has fairly wide black inner band (almost reaching inner margin) in hw & very distinctive patterning in fw. Meskei tend to have narrower band & dustier (less distinct) looking fw. Semirelicta tend to have inner bands terminatinge well before inner margins. Also note the very white fringe on both the forewings and hindwings. Carroll Rudy image. ** 8806 Catocala parta; Mother Underwing, wingspan: 70-85mm; WI/JOD; 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. ** 8798 Catocala neogama; 70-85mm; WI/JOD; Note brown head & thorax & larger size compared to palaeogama. Specimens tend to be slightly smaller than subnata, have darker grey brown fws with more pronounced markings. Examination of hind tibia sometimes needed for identification. Neogama's tend to be flattened, unevenly, sparsely spined while subnata's tibia are cylindrical with spines dense, uniform in distribution. ** 8797 Catocala subnata; Youthful Underwing; 75-90mm; WI/JOD; Fws greyish white with blue-grey & light brown scales. C. subnata usually have hws brighter yellow than those of neogama. Neogama usually have basal dash; absent in male subnata, present in females. Magnification of hind tibia helps distinguish two species: sub: cylindrical hind tibia; neo: compressed or flattened hind tibia. sub: ventral surface of tibia densely covered with evenly distributed spines; neo: ventral surface of tibia sparsely covered with sporadic spines. ** 8796 Catocala nebulosa; Clouded; 75-86mm; WI/JOD; Moths have 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. Medium-Large Pink Underwings: Wingspans: 70-95mm ** 8833 concumbens Sleepy Underwing or Pink Underwing; 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; 70-85mm; WI/JOD; Note deep maroon almost purple cast to forewings, mixed with very pale green. Lower half of am and pm lines is barely visible. No distinctive bars or dashes. 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. ** 8834 amatrix Sweetheart Underwing; 75-95mm; WI/JOD; 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. Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.