Catocala violenta

Edwards, H., 1880

Catocala violenta is a in the Erebidae, part of the diverse underwing moth Catocala. fly during mid-summer with a single . The occupies a restricted geographic range in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, where larvae feed specifically on Gambel's oak.

Catocala violenta by (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Laura Gaudette. Used under a CC-BY license.

Catocala violenta YPM ENT 447812 D by Sproch, H. J.. 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 violenta: /ˌkætəˈkeɪlə viːəˈlɛntə/

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

Identification

Distinguished from other Catocala by geographic range and association with Quercus gambeli as larval . are active July–August. Specific wing patterns and genitalia would be required for definitive identification; dissection is typically necessary for accurate species-level determination in this .

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 70–80 mm. Like other underwing moths, the forewings are cryptically colored to blend with tree bark when at rest, concealing the more vividly patterned hindwings. The specific coloration pattern of C. violenta is not described in available sources.

Habitat

Associated with oak woodland and mixed conifer-oak forest where the larval plant Quercus gambeli (Gambel's oak) occurs. Elevation records include 7,000 feet in dry, mixed conifer forest with oaks in New Mexico.

Distribution

Southwestern North America: from Colorado south to Arizona, east to Texas, and extending into Mexico. Distribution closely tracks the range of its larval plant.

Seasonality

are on wing from July to August, with timing varying by location. One per year ().

Diet

Larvae feed exclusively on Quercus gambeli (Gambel's oak). feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Quercus gambeli - larval plantGambel's oak; sole documented food plant

Life Cycle

Complete with one annually. Larvae feed on oak foliage; presumably occurs in soil or leaf litter, though specific details are unreported. emerge mid-summer.

Behavior

are . Like other underwing moths, they typically rest with forewings folded over the , concealing the brightly colored hindwings. When disturbed, they flash the hindwings to startle before taking . At light traps, they often remain on the periphery rather than landing directly on the sheet.

Ecological Role

Larvae function as folivores on Gambel's oak, contributing to nutrient cycling in oak woodland . likely serve as prey for including bats, birds, and spiders. The specific ecological role of this has not been studied.

Human Relevance

No direct economic or cultural significance documented. Like other underwing moths, it may be encountered during insect surveys and -watching events.

Similar Taxa

Catocala aholibahLarger underwing with overlapping range in Colorado; distinguished by size and specific wing patterns
Catocala verillianaSmaller underwing sympatric in Colorado; separated by size and wing characteristics
Other Catocala speciesMany in share cryptic forewings and colorful hindwings; accurate identification requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis

More Details

Taxonomic placement

Historically placed in Noctuidae; now classified in Erebidae following molecular phylogenetic revisions of Lepidoptera.

Collection records

The is represented by relatively few documented observations (48 records on iNaturalist as of source date), suggesting it may be genuinely uncommon or underreported due to habits and identification challenges.