Catocala cerogama

Guenée, 1852

Yellow-banded Underwing

Catocala cerogama, the yellow-banded underwing, is a North American in the Erebidae. are recognized by their brownish-gray forewings and distinctive even, deep yellow bands on the hindwings. The was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. Adults fly from July through October, and larvae feed on American basswood.

Catocala cerogama by Doctorkilmer. Used under a Public domain license.

Catocala cerogama YPM ENT 859194 D by Lazarova, Y. P.. Used under a CC0 license.

Catocala cerogama (20535454098) by Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Catocala cerogama: /ˌkætəˈkeɪlə ˌsɛrəˈɡæmə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar Catocala by the even, deep yellow bands on the hindwings (not irregular or broken). The pale band connecting the whitish subreniform spot to the on the forewing is a key diagnostic feature. Forewing coloration is typically brownish-gray rather than the darker or more contrasting patterns seen in some .

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 64–81 mm. Forewings brownish-gray with a pale band connecting the whitish subreniform spot to the . Hindwings display even, deep yellow bands. When at rest, forewings are held together over the back, concealing the brightly patterned hindwings.

Distribution

Eastern and central North America: Nova Scotia south to North Carolina, west to Manitoba, South Dakota, and Missouri. Records also include Saskatchewan and Vermont.

Seasonality

fly July through October.

Diet

Larvae feed on American basswood (Tilia americana). feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Tilia americana - larval food plantAmerican basswood

Life Cycle

Complete . Larval stage feeds on American basswood. occurs mid-summer through autumn.

Behavior

are . Like other underwing moths, they typically rest with forewings folded over the back, concealing the brightly colored hindwings; when disturbed, they may flash the hindwings as a startle defense.

Ecological Role

Larva functions as a folivore on American basswood. may serve as prey for and as potential , though specific ecological interactions are not well documented.

Human Relevance

Subject of interest among lepidopterists and enthusiasts, particularly during National Moth Week events. The is part of the popular underwing moth Catocala, which is frequently spotlighted in citizen science moth surveys due to its distinctive and colorful hindwing patterns.

Similar Taxa

Catocala concumbensAlso has yellow hindwing bands, but bands are typically more irregular or broken compared to the even bands of C. cerogama; forewing pattern differs.
Other Catocala speciesMany underwing moths share the general pattern of dull forewings and bright hindwings; C. cerogama is distinguished by the specific configuration of even yellow hindwing bands and the pale forewing band to the .

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The name Catocala is derived from Greek meaning 'beautiful below', referring to the colorful hindwings concealed at rest.

Observation notes

Like many underwing moths, may be reluctant to come directly to lights or may remain on the periphery of lighted areas; searching nearby vegetation may be necessary to locate specimens.