| Catocala jair;
35-40mm. The moth is hard to distinguish from amica, but jair has broader, blunter forewings than amica and the post medial
line of jair is straighter (much less dentate) than that of amica. The hindwings of both species seem identical.
|
| ** 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.
|
| ** 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.
|
| Catocala pretiosa
Precious Underwing; 40-50mm;
This species is quite similar to crataegi and mira, but pretiosa has considerable creamy white colouration in the median area. The lower
portion of the basal area is also light, not dark as in crataegi.
The inner black band of the hindwing forms a loop and the outer band is broken (not complete as in mira, followed by a dot that tapers to the anal angle.
|
| ** 8865
praeclara; Praeclara Underwing, (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.
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. |
Solid Black Underwings: Smallest to Largest, Similar Species Paired
| Catocala andromedae,
the gloomy Underwing, (wingspan: 40-50mm).
The black underwings and dark grey fringe of the hindwings,
coupled with the dark inner margin of the forewings help to identify
this species. There is also a very dark "flying saucer" shape, adjoining the
subreniform spot to the midpoint of the antemedial line.
The "teeth" of the postmedian line are short and blunt,
outwardly edged with white. The subterminal line is also outwardly
edged with white.
Full size Joe Garris photo.
|
| Catocala 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.
Full size 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 obscura,
the Obscure Underwing, (wingspan: 60-72mm),
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, distinguishing
this species from C. residua.
Full size Joe Garris photo.
|
| Catocala residua,
the Residua Underwing, (wingspan: 60-73mm),
is distinguished from Catocala obscura by the 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. The forewing
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.
Full size Joe Garris photo.
|
| Catocala retecta,
(wingspan: 60-75mm).
Note the light coloured, elongated and open subreniform spot
which interrupts the dark, diffuse ark running through the center of
the wing from the basal area (body-wing juncture) to the forewing
apex. The center of the reniform spot is brown and there is a brown
are 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.
Full size Joe Garris photo.
|
|
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. |
| ** 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. |
Salmon to Scarlet Underwings
| Catocala habilis,
(wingspan: 55-65mm; Hodges #8778). Note the large "M" on the thorax and the "pork chop" shaped,
light coloured subreniform spot that becomes very dark in its
constriction at the juncture with the postmedian line. The pm line
is narrow but dark and distinct. It is outwardly lined with a narrow
suffusion of white scales, followed by a broader band of brown scales,
and then another broader suffusion of white scales up to a very
regular dentation of the subterminal line. There is always
significant "bleeding" of the yellow-orange to salmon scales into the
hindwing fringes.
The large reniform spot has a brown center, faintly edged with black, then
white, then black again. Full size Joe Garris
photo.
|
| Catocala palaeogama,
(wingspan: 60-70mm; Hodges #8795).
The subreniform spot is closed, does not approach the pm line, and
it is smaller than in C. habilis.
All forms have the characteristic orange, heavily barred fringe to
the apex, and irregular bands on the hindwings. The hw basal median
area is heavily suffused with dark brown to black scales.
There is also a 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.
Full size Joe Garris
photo.
|
| Catocala palaeogama form phalanga,
(wingspan: 60-70mm; Hodges #8795).
In this form, 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.
Full size Joe Garris
photo.
|
| ** 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. |
| Catocala neogama,
(wingspan: 70-85mm; Hodges #8798).
Note the brown head and thorax and larger size as compared to
C. palaeogama. Neogama specimens tend to be slightly smaller
than subnata, and have darker grey brown forewings with more
pronounced markings. Examination of hind tibia is sometimes needed
for identification. Those of neogama tend to be flattened and
unevenly and sparsely spined while tibia of subnata are cylindrical
with spines dense and uniform in distribution.
Full size Joe Garris
photo.
|
unijuga yes
| ** 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
|
|
Catocala muliercula; Little Wife Underwing;
Dark, distinct upper half am line runs obliquely toward anal angle, turns in two lobes to im;
basal area dark brown; inner brown kidney shaped reniform spot, oulined in black then light then black again; open, lighter subreniform spot
with light area from it to costa; median area greyish-blue-brown; subterminal area brown; terminal area greyish-blue-brown; lighter patch at apex.
Hw dark bands thick, much dark scaling in basal area covering 2/3, joining inner black band to im.
|
| ** 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.
Full size Joe Garris
photo.
|
| 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.
|
|
| Catocala coccinata,
the Scarlet Underwing, (wingspan: 57-70mm).
There are usually diffuse basal and anal dashes on an otherwise light
grey, mottled forewing.
The hindwing fringe is white (often with some salmon scaling) and is
heavily checked.
I find the "tooth" just below the pair of very elongated "teeth" is
much reduced and is quite rounded, usually allowing considerable room
for a lighter patch of scales. There is a dark bar across the thorax.
The reniform spot tends be to light, often with a greenish cast to it.
Joe Garris photos.
|
| ** 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.
|
Full size Joe Garris photo of C. ilia.
|
|
