Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836
Catocala andromache
This record describes Catocala andromache (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing gray with greenish tint in fresh specimens; subreniform spot pale, conspicuous; AM line, double, black, composed of 3 scallops; subterminal line faint or broken near middle; pale yellowish shading may be present along PM line and in subterminal area (forewing of subspecies benjamini more uniformly brownish-gray, with thicker/more prominent lines, and lack of greenish shading); hindwing yellow with two black bands, broken near anal angle.
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
Mostly below 2000 meters. ( 5 )
Geographic Range
California. ( 5 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from mid-June through August. ( 5 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of oaks; to include Quercus chrysolepis , Q. cornelius-mulleri , Q. dumosa . ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Andromache of Greek mythology, the wife of Hector, daughter of Eetion, and sister to Podes.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala andromache. 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 Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836
What is Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836?
Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 (Catocala andromache) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836?
Wingspan 50-55 mm. ( 4 )
How do you identify Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836?
Adult - forewing gray with greenish tint in fresh specimens; subreniform spot pale, conspicuous; AM line, double, black, composed of 3 scallops; subterminal line faint or broken near middle; pale yellowish shading may be present along PM line and in subterminal area (forewing of subspecies benjamini more uniformly brownish-gray, with thicker/more prominent lines, and lack of greenish shading); hindwing yellow with two black bands, broken near anal angle.
Where is Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mostly below 2000 meters. ( 5 ) |
| Range | California. ( 5 ) |
What does Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 eat?
The diet of the Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 includes Larvae feed on leaves of oaks; to include Quercus chrysolepis , Q. cornelius-mulleri , Q. dumosa . ( 5 ).
When is Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836 active?
Andromache Underwing - Hodges#8836: seasonal activity - Adults fly from mid-June through August. ( 5 ).