Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850
Catocala herodias
This record describes Catocala herodias (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing is grey and brown, generally lacking any trace of medial lines. Instead forewing veins are somewhat darkened in the median areas with white streaks from the post medial line to the outer fringe, running parallel to the inner margin.
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
Oak/Pine Barrens.
Geographic Range
Eastern North America, west to Texas. Type locality: Texas (Mr. Belfrage ). ,
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly June to August; peak in late July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts are oaks: ( 9 ) bear oak ( Quercus ilicifolia ) northern red oak ( Quercus rubra )
Life History
Eggs are laid on bark in fall and hatch in spring. Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet for Herodias , princess of the Herodian dynasty of Judaea during the time of the Roman Empire.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala herodias. 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 Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , dennepj10
Frequently Asked Questions About Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850
What is Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850?
Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 (Catocala herodias) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850?
Wingspan 55-65 mm. ( 7 )
How do you identify Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850?
Adult - forewing is grey and brown, generally lacking any trace of medial lines. Instead forewing veins are somewhat darkened in the median areas with white streaks from the post medial line to the outer fringe, running parallel to the inner margin.
Where is Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Oak/Pine Barrens. |
| Range | Eastern North America, west to Texas. Type locality: Texas (Mr. Belfrage ). |
What does Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 eat?
The diet of the Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 includes Larval hosts are oaks: ( 9 ) bear oak ( Quercus ilicifolia ) northern red oak ( Quercus rubra ).
When is Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850 active?
Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850: seasonal activity - Adults fly June to August; peak in late July..
What is the life cycle of a Herodias Underwing - Hodges#8850?
Eggs are laid on bark in fall and hatch in spring. Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.