LepidopteraErebidae

Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782

Catocala flebilis

This record describes Catocala flebilis (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - Catocala flebilis
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs

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

Geographic Range

Southern Ontario to Massachusetts, south to Georgia, west to Arkansas and Illinois. Lectotype male: Pennsylvania.

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Hickory - Carya glabra, Carya ovata . ,

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "lamentable, doleful, tearful."

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala flebilis. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Photos of Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 (5)

Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - photo 1
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs
Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - photo 2
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs
Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - photo 3
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs
Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - photo 4
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs
Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 - photo 5
Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs

Frequently Asked Questions About Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782

How big is Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782?

Wingspan 54-65 mm.

Where is Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 found?
FeatureDetails
RangeSouthern Ontario to Massachusetts, south to Georgia, west to Arkansas and Illinois. Lectotype
MalePennsylvania.
What does Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 eat?

The diet of the Catocala flebilis - Hodges#8782 includes Hickory - Carya glabra, Carya ovata . ,.

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , Ken Childs. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.