Catocala dulciola
kah-TOCK-uh-lahmmdul-see-OH-luh
Grote, 1881

Catocala dulciola by Harold J. Vermes, courtesy of Craig Vermes.

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

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DISTRIBUTION:

Catocala dulciola, the Quiet or Sweet Underwing (wingspan: 40-45mm), may well be endangered through most of its range: New York through Virginia, west to Missouri and north to Illinois and Michigan.

It has also been reported in Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

A double black antemedial line (inner line broken only near the costa) with other lines obscure distinguishes dulciola. There is also a dark basal dash on an otherwise plain, light grey forewing.

Catocala dulciola, courtesy of John Glaser.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala dulciola are usually on the wing in June and July.

The Catocala dulciola caterpillar feeds on hawthorn.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala dulciola 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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Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.