Catocala herodias

Strecker, 1876

Herodias Underwing, Gerhard's Underwing

Species Guides

Catocala herodias gerhardi(Pine Barrens Underwing)
Catocala herodias herodias(Herodias Underwing)

Catocala herodias is an underwing in the Erebidae, first described by Strecker in 1876. The comprises two with disjunct distributions: the nominate form occurs in Texas and Oklahoma, while subspecies C. h. gerhardi ranges from Massachusetts to Virginia. have a wingspan of 55–65 mm and fly from July to August. The gerhardi subspecies is listed as endangered in Connecticut.

Catocala herodias YPM ENT 745055 V by Yale Peabody Museum, Entomology Division. Used under a CC0 license.

Catocala herodias YPM ENT 745055 D by Yale Peabody Museum, Entomology Division. Used under a CC0 license.

CATALOGUE-BM-PLATE CC by Sir GEORGE F. HAMPSON, Bart.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Catocala herodias: /kæˈtɒkələ hɛˈroʊdiəs/

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Identification

Distinguished from other Catocala by geographic distribution and, for gerhardi, by its northeastern range. Identification to species level typically requires examination of genitalia or reference to regional keys, as many underwing moths exhibit similar cryptic forewing patterns. The two subspecies are separated by range: herodias in Texas and Oklahoma, gerhardi in the northeastern United States.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 55–65 mm. Like other Catocala , the forewings are cryptically colored in muted browns and grays for camouflage against tree bark. The hindwings, concealed at rest, display bold coloration typical of underwing moths. Specific pattern details for C. herodias are not described in available sources.

Habitat

Associated with oak-dominated . The nominate occurs in Texas and Oklahoma. Subspecies gerhardi inhabits areas from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York to Virginia, where it is associated with scrub oak habitats supporting its larval plants.

Distribution

North America. The nominate Catocala herodias herodias is found in Texas and Oklahoma. Subspecies Catocala herodias gerhardi occurs from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York south to Virginia. GBIF records confirm presence in North America.

Seasonality

are on wing from July to August, with timing varying by location. There is probably one per year.

Diet

Larvae feed on Quercus ilicifolia (scrub oak) and Quercus rubra (northern red oak). feeding habits are not documented in available sources.

Host Associations

Quercus ilicifolia - larval scrub oak
Quercus rubra - larval northern red oak

Life Cycle

Probably , with one per year. emerge in mid-summer. Complete details including , larval, and pupal stages are not documented in available sources.

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 to startle before taking . Underwing moths generally do not come readily to lights, or remain on the periphery of lighted areas.

Other Catocala speciesMany underwing moths share similar cryptic forewing patterns and require careful examination or genitalia dissection for definitive identification. Geographic range is a key distinguishing feature for C. herodias.
Catocala herodias gerhardi / C. h. herodiasThe two are distinguished by geographic range: gerhardi in the Northeast, herodias in Texas and Oklahoma. They may differ in minor morphological features, but subspecific identification relies primarily on locality.

More Details

Subspecies

Two recognized: Catocala herodias herodias Strecker, 1876 (Texas and Oklahoma) and Catocala herodias gerhardi Barnes & Benjamin, 1927 (Massachusetts to Virginia). The latter is endangered in Connecticut.

Etymology

The specific epithet herodias refers to Herodias, a figure from biblical and classical sources. The 'Gerhard's Underwing' honors the subspecific epithet gerhardi.