Catocala umbrosa
Updated as per "Systematics of moths in the genus Catocala (Lepidoptera, Erebidae) IV.
Nomenclatorial stabilization of the Nearctic fauna, with a revised synonymic check list";
ZooKeys 39: 37–83 (2010) by Lawrence F. Gall, David C. Hawks; March 21, 2010
Updated as per personal communication with Bill Dempwolf (Austin, Texas; May 19-June 1; 70-77mm); July 3, 2010
Updated as per personal communication with Greg Roehm (Wauchula, Hardee County, Florida; June 18, 2012); Auugust 29, 2012

Catocala umbrosa
kah-TOCK-uh-lahMum-BROH-suh
Brou, 2002

Catocala umbrosa Brou, 2002, Holotype male, courtesy of V. A. Brou.

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 umbrosa (wingspan: 70-77mm) flies from Missouri and Louisiana east to Florida and north through New Jersey to Massachusetts and Quebec.

It has also been confirmed in Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. I suspect it is also in West Virginia.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala umbrosa flies as a single generation with moths on the wing from early April in the southern portions (peak flight in June) of its range through to August in the North (peak flight mid to late July). The Catocala umbrosa caterpillar probably feeds on oak species. Bill Dempwolf sent me this very nice series of Catocala umbrosa from Austin, Texas, taken May 19 - June 1, 2010, with wingspans ranging from 70-77mm.

Catocala umbrosa, Austin Texas, May 2010,
courtesy of Bill Dempwolf, id by Bill Oehlke.

Catocala umbrosa, Austin Texas, May 2010,
courtesy of Bill Dempwolf, id by Bill Oehlke.

Catocala umbrosa, Austin Texas, May 2010,
courtesy of Bill Dempwolf, id by Bill Oehlke.

Catocala umbrosa, Austin Texas, May 2010,
courtesy of Bill Dempwolf, id by Bill Oehlke.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae formed under leaf litter.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala umbrosa females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their antennae to track the scent plume.

Catocala umbrosa Brou, 2002, Allotype female

Catocala umbrosa, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana,
courtesy of Rosemary Seidler, id correction by Vernon Brou.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring.

Mature larvae

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.

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Catocala umbrosa, Wauchula, Hardee County, Florida,
June 18, 2012, courtesy of Greg Roehm.