Catocala mira
kah-TOCK-uh-lahmmMYE-ruh
Grote, 1876

Catocala mira female, Louisiana, by Vernon Antoine Brou.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Noctuidae Group: Noctuinina Subfamily: Catocalinae Genus: Catocala, Schrank, 1802

MIDI MUSIC "Moon River" copyright C. Odenkirk MIDI CITY ON.OFF <bgsound src="moon.mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION:

Catocala mira, the Wonderful Underwing, (wingspan: 40-50mm) flies from Manitoba through southern Ontario and Quebec through New Hampshire (not in Maine) and Connecticut to Florida, west to Texas (June) and north through Iowa and Illinois.

Catocala mira, Peterborough, Ontario, August 18, 2004, courtesy of Tim Dyson copyright

Catocala mira, Peterborough, Ontario, August 11, 2004, courtesy of Tim Dyson copyright

The pale basal area of the forewing distinguishes mira from blandula (dark brown) and crataegi (black).

Catocala mira, Calumet County, Wisconsin, July 8, 2007, courtesy of carroll Rudy.

The forewing lacks the dark contrasting lines of crataegi and blandula. 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. There is also a noticeable space along the inner margin between the antemedial and postmedial lines. The hindwing is deep orange and has a complete inner black band. The outer black band is unbroken Moths come in to lights and to bait. Catocala mira, August 11, 2004, courtesy of Tim Dyson copyright.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala mira are usually on the wing from July to August, earlier in Texas.

The Catocala mira caterpillar shows a preference for hawthorn species.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala mira 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.

Crataegus.......

Hawthorn

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