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Created as per personal communication from Ricky Patterson, Vicksburg, Mississippi, March 31, 2017; April 3, 2017 Updated as per http://www.lepidopterabiodiversity.com/SP/SupplementalCatocalaaestivaliaPlates.pdf |
Catocala aestivalia HT male, Hogtown Creek, Alachua County, Florida,
May 5, 2006, on my home computer only.
TAXONOMY:Superfamily: Noctuoidea |
This species is very similar to the southern crataegi group, and it can often only be distinguished through DNA analysis. Generally, however, aestivalia has more white scaling on the forewing and around the reniform spot. It could easily be confused with crataegi, pretiosa, myra, even blandula.
The subreniform spot is relatively large, seems to alwasy be closed, and is lighter in colour than its surroundings. The black hindwing marginal band is usually, but not always broken (closed in the darkest male below. Females seem generally lighter than males
Catocala aestivalia male, Hogtown Creek, Alachua County, Florida,
40mm, April 12, 2007, on my home computer only.
Catocala aestivalia male, Alachua County, Florida,
40mm, April 8, 1990, on my home computer only.
Catocala aestivalia male, Aspalaga Road, Gadsden County, Florida,
38mm, April 17, 2008, on my home computer only.
The Catocala aestivalia caterpillar probably feeds on Crataegus aestivalis, and it might be limited to that host, which is also known as eastern mayhaw. This shrub or small tree grows in low-lying or wet areas from eastern Alabama to central Florida and Virginia, possibly into eastern Mississippi. The host plant is often found in or near hydric hardwood forests along streams and rivers.
Adults have been procured from found larvae, and pupal development time is usually just over two weeks.
The three females depicted below do not have the heavy concentration of black scales in the basal area or along the fw inner margin as seen in the males of this species. I do not know if that is a consistent character of females or not??
What does stand out to me in all images is the upper half of the am line is relatively thick and dark while the lower half is relatively thin.
Catocala aestivalia female, Gadsden County, Florida,
45mm, May 11, 2005 on my home computer only.
Catocala aestivalia female, Hogtown Creek, Alachua County, Florida,
42mm, April 13, 2007, on my home computer only.
Catocala aestivalia female, Hogtown Creek, Alachua County, Florida,
43mm, April 19, 2007, on my home computer only.
Catocala aestivalia male, Florida,
42mm, on my home computer only.
Crataegus aestivalis ....... |
eastern mayhaw |
Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.
Enjoy one of nature's wonderments: Live Saturniidae (Giant Silkmoth) cocoons.
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