Catocala residua

Grote, 1874

Residua Underwing

Catocala residua is a North American underwing in the Erebidae, first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. are medium-sized with a wingspan of 60–73 mm and are active from July to September. The is distinguished by its cryptic forewings and brightly patterned hindwings characteristic of the Catocala.

Catocala residua 45009809 by jonn. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Catocala residua YPM ENT 777090 D by Lazarova, Y. P.. Used under a CC0 license.

Catocala residua YPM ENT 777090 V by Lazarova, Y. P.. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Catocala residua: /ˌkætəˈkeɪlə rɪˈsɪdʒuə/

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Identification

Identified as a member of Catocala by the underwing posture and concealed colorful hindwings. Specific identification within the genus requires examination of forewing pattern details and hindwing coloration and markings. Differentiation from similar Catocala relies on subtle differences in wing patterns and geographic distribution.

Images

Appearance

Wingspan 60–73 mm. Forewings are dull-colored, providing camouflage when at rest. Hindwings display bold, colorful patterns typical of underwing moths, concealed beneath the forewings when the is not in .

Habitat

Associated with woodland and forested where plants of the Carya occur. Found in areas supporting hickory .

Distribution

Eastern North America: southern Ontario, Quebec, and Maine south to North Carolina and Georgia, west to Mississippi and Missouri, and north to Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.

Seasonality

on wing from July to September, with exact timing varying by location.

Diet

Larvae feed on Carya : Carya glabra (pignut hickory), Carya illinoinensis (pecan), Carya laciniosa (shellbark hickory), and Carya ovata (shagbark hickory). diet not documented.

Host Associations

Carya glabra - larval plantpignut hickory
Carya illinoinensis - larval plantpecan
Carya laciniosa - larval plantshellbark hickory
Carya ovata - larval plantshagbark hickory

Behavior

are and attracted to light. Like other underwing moths, adults may exhibit a startle defense response by flashing their brightly colored hindwings when disturbed, then taking .

Ecological Role

Larvae function as herbivores on hickory trees. may serve as prey for and as potential , though specific ecological roles are not well documented.

Human Relevance

Subject of interest to lepidopterists and enthusiasts, particularly during National Moth Week events. No documented economic importance or pest status.

Similar Taxa

Other Catocala speciesShare the characteristic underwing with cryptic forewings and colorful hindwings; require detailed examination of wing patterns and geographic range for differentiation

More Details

Etymology

The specific epithet 'residua' and 'Residua Underwing' refer to the ' characteristics, though the precise meaning of 'residua' in this context is not documented in available sources.

Taxonomic history

First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. The has been retained in Catocala despite historical revisions to -level classification (formerly placed in Noctuidae, now Erebidae).