Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879
Catocala jair
This record describes Catocala jair (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. ( 4 ) 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
Geographic Range
Southern New York, New Jersey Pine Barrens, North Carolina and the northern half of Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma. ( 3 ) , ( 5 ) Type locality: Florida. ( 6 )
Seasonal Activity
Typically on the wing May through June.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Jewish and Christian scripture, Jair (Hebrew: יָאִיר Yā’îr, "he enlightens") from Gilead of the Tribe of Manasseh, the father of Elhanan who slew Lahmi, the brother of Goliath.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala jair. 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 Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879
What is Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879?
Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879 (Catocala jair) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879?
Wingspan 35-40 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879?
Member of the Catocala amica complex in which species lack a black medial hindwing band; see Gall & Schweitzer (2026) for full description. ( 4 ) 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 Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879 found?
Range: Southern New York, New Jersey Pine Barrens, North Carolina and the northern half of Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma. ( 3 ) , ( 5 ) Type locality: Florida. ( 6 )
When is Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879 active?
Jair Underwing - Hodges#8879: seasonal activity - Typically on the wing May through June..