Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878
Catocala amica
This record describes Catocala amica (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Member of the Catocala amica complex in which species lack a black medial hindwing band; see Gall & Schweitzer (2026) for full description. ( 8 ) Caution : In Gall & Schweitzer (2026) figure 2, the specimen labeled A is a lineella and not a pinicola (error in digital assembly of images for the plate; the catalog number and locality data are correct) (L. Gall, pers. comm., 28iv2022).
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Erebidae
- Subfamily
- Erebinae
- Tribe
- Catocalini
- Genus
- Catocala (Underwings)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Woodlands containing oak; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Geographic Range
Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to Texas, north to North Dakota.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus ). ( 9 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "friendly, amicable."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala amica. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by cotinis , Hannah Nendick-Mason , Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Jason D. Roberts , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878
What is Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878?
Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878 (Catocala amica) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878?
Wingspan 31-44 mm. ( 7 )
How do you identify Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878?
Member of the Catocala amica complex in which species lack a black medial hindwing band; see Gall & Schweitzer (2026) for full description. ( 8 ) Caution : In Gall & Schweitzer (2026) figure 2, the specimen labeled A is a lineella and not a pinicola (error in digital assembly of images for the plate; the catalog number and locality data are correct) (L. Gall, pers. comm., 28iv2022).
Where is Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Woodlands containing oak; adults are nocturnal and come to light. |
| Range | Ontario and Quebec to Florida, west to Texas, north to North Dakota. |
What does Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878 eat?
The diet of the Girlfriend Underwing - Hodges#8878 includes Larvae feed on leaves of oak ( Quercus ). ( 9 ).