| dulciola;
Quiet/Sweet Underwing, wingspan: 40-45mm;
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.
|
| ** 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.
|
|
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.
|
| #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.
|
| ** 8770
Catocala innubens;
Betrothed; 55-72mm.
Forewing is mottled with white, grey and brown, and
subrenifrom spot tends to be lighter in colour, although it is
sometimes obscured by an indistinct blackish bar which runs from
middle of basal/thorax connection to just below much lighter
apex at outer margin.
Jim Vargo image. |
| ** 8770
Catocala innubens form scintillans;
Betrothed; 55-72mm.
In form scintillans most of the basal area (all but lower third) and all of the median area of the forewing is dark reddish brown.
The area outside the pm line is grey.
Vernon A Brou image. |
| ** 8851
Catocala coccinata;
Scarlet; wingspan: 57-70mm:
There are usually diffuse basal and anal dashes on an otherwise light
grey, mottled fw. Hw fringe is white (often with some salmon scaling) and is
heavily checked.
I find "tooth" just below pair of very elongated "teeth" is
much reduced and is quite rounded, usually allowing considerable room
for lighter patch of scales. Dark bar crosses thorax.
Reniform spot tends be to light, often with greenish cast.
Joe Garris image.
|
alabamae yes
amica yes
| ** 8874 Catocala minuta;
Little Underwing; 35-45mm;
Fw generally grey-brown with greatly widened
(near costa only), white, stl.
Hw outer black band unbroken, inner band
in complete loop, considerable brown scaling along
im. Forms:
"eureka" Schwarz: blackish area between 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.
|
sordida yes
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.
The usual specimens have grey forewings shaded with green, brown,
black and white tints. There is usually a darkened band passing from
the costa through the reniform spot to the outer margin.
There is high variability with this species.
Full size Joe Garris photo of C. micronympha form hero.
|
| ** 8877 connubialis,
Connubial Underwing, (wingspan: 35-50mm).
The forewing is highly variable and there are several different
forms: "sancta" Hulst is the typical form and has forewings with
white ground colour and sharply contrasting black lines and markings.
There is also brown shading between post medial and subterminal
lines; "cordelia" H. Edwards is coloured as above but markings are
faint; "pulverulenta" Brower has grey-green forewings with faint
markings, sometimes none;
"broweri" Muller is the melanic form with forewings that are dark
green, almost black.
The hindwing has a separate anal spot and the outer band ends with a
straight cut.
Leroy Simon image.
|
| ** 8848 louiseae,
Louise's Underwing, (wingspan: 40mm).
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.
|
| ** 8772 gracilis;
Graceful Underwing, wingspan 40-45mm.
Gracilis closely resembles sordida but the hindwing loop is not complete in gracilis as it is in sordida. Gracilis also tends to have a darker
inner margin and there is frequently (99% of the time, Dale Schweitzer, via Joe Garris), but not always, a basal dash. Sordida never has the basal dash.
|
| ** 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. |
| ** 8772 clintoni;
Clinton's Underwing, wingspan 45-55mm.
The black basal dash distinguishes clintoni from illecta and
abbreviatella, both of which lack the dash.
Vernon Brou image.
|
| ** 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. |
| ** 8858
Catocala crataegi as subspecies 1;
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.
|
| ** 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 43-50mm.
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.
|
Solid Black Underwings: Smallest to Largest, Similar Species Paired
| ** 8781
judith,
Judith's Underwing, (wingspan: 45-55mm),
is one of the smaller "black" underwings. The forewing is a uniform
light grey with thin and only slightly darkened antemedial, median
and postmedial lines. There are no darkened dashes (slight anal dash)
or transverse lines. The reniform area is slightly darkened while the
area just before the subterminal line is a bit lighter. Note absence of
hw white fringe.
Joe Garris photo.
|
| ** 8782 Catocala flebilis, yes;
Mournful, wingspan: 54-65mm.
Diffuse black band runs from basal area to
outer margin just below apex, interrupted by pale grey
subreniform spot. Reniform spot is filled with brown; there is
additional brown outside postmedial line. No anal dash
as there is in angusi. The hindwings have white fringe. J. K. Adams
image.
|
| ** 8773
Catocala epione , yes;
Epione Underwing, wingspan: 55-65mm
The pm line is squared and has a brown band and then a light band
just outside the line. The hindwing is black with pure white fringe
with no barring.
John Himmelman image.
|
| Catocala 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 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 are relatively
short and blunt. Upper portion of aml thick and black;
lower half has light rounded lobes outlined in black.
Hw fringe is white with black wing veins extending
like "teeth".
|
| ** 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.
|
| ** 8792
Catocala vidua, yes;
Widow; wingspan: 70-80mm
The ground colour of the forewing is light grey. There is a
distinguished dark arc running through the top of the reniform spot
to just below the apex. There are heavy, dark anal and basal
dashes, connecting to a dark median bar, running parallel to the inner margin.
The am line is thick and black in its upper half.
The reniform spot consists of two almost
concentric irregular ovals.
The subreniform spot is light, open, but constricted as it
meets the pm line.
The hindwing is black with broad, white fringe, only lightly
interrupted.
Marie Winn image. |
|
| ** 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; 70-80mm.
Several different forms. Pm line distinct, dark
and has elongate pair of projections. Pm and am lines meet inner
margin in relative proximity. Closed subreniform spot
lighter than surrounding areas, shaped a bit like an
arrowhead with point toward body. Hws are
distinctive. Jean-Benoît Duval image. |
|
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. |
| ** 8808 luciana;
Luciana Underwing, 57-68mm.
Pale grey brown forewing with very distinct am
& postmedial lines.
Subreniform spot has elongated narrow "tail" that seems to
open through postmedial line.
Inner black band of hw does not reach inner margin.
Fringe is checked and paler (almost yellow) than
salmon ground colour.
|
| ** 8822
meskei; Meske's Underwing;
wingspan: 65-75mm
The forewings are less distinctly marked compared to unijuga and
there is some red-orange at the hindwing 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. |
| ** 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.
|
| ** 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.
|
| ** 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.
|
umbrosa yes
umbrosa yes
palaeogama yes
relicta yes
neogama yes
retecta yes
ulalume yes
unijuga yes
similis yes
abbreviatella LG
junctura yes
marmorata yes
| ** 8832 Catocala cara;
Darling; 70-85mm.
Note deep maroon almost purple cast to fws, mixed with
very pale green. Lower half of am & pm lines is barely
visible. There are no distinctive bars or dashes. The two upper
"teeth" on the pm line are thin and long.
The hindwing bands are pink. There is heavy black checking on the
off-white hindwing fringe. The relatively thick black median band of the
hindwing almost reaches the inner margin which is usually heavily
adorned with dark hairs.
Tim Dyson image.
|
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|