Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822
Catocala meskei
This record describes Catocala meskei (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult - forewing gray and evenly patterned (has a dirty or dust-covered appearance), with few contrasts or strong markings compared to similar species; PM line often single (at least in leading half of wing) with no white border on distal side; subreniform spot and area basal to reniform spot form a continuous whitish patch with a thin dark vein running through the middle. hindwing banded black and reddish-orange; black median band relatively thin, tapered and usually angled inward at tip; apex with light orangish or yellowish patch.
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
Alberta to Quebec and Maine, south to South Carolina, west to Colorado, Montana. Lectotype female: Albany, NY. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of various poplar ( Populus deltoides, Populus fremontii, Populus grandidentata, Populus nigra ) and willow ( Salix ). ( 8 )
Life History
One generation per year; overwinters as an egg. Larva; head; prepupal larva in shelter; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet in honor of Otto von Meske (1837-1890), who had two other Lepidoptera named after him around the same time, Pero meskaria (Packard, 1876) and Hesperia meskei (Edwards, 1877), as well as the genus Meskea . Form krombeini Franclemont, 1938 named for Karl V. Krombein (1912-2005).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala meskei. 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 Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Jason D. Roberts , Nick Block , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822
What is Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822?
Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 (Catocala meskei) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822?
Wingspan 65-75 mm. ( 7 )
How do you identify Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822?
Adult - forewing gray and evenly patterned (has a dirty or dust-covered appearance), with few contrasts or strong markings compared to similar species; PM line often single (at least in leading half of wing) with no white border on distal side; subreniform spot and area basal to reniform spot form a continuous whitish patch with a thin dark vein running through the middle. hindwing banded black and reddish-orange; black median band relatively thin, tapered and usually angled inward at tip; apex with light orangish or yellowish patch.
Where is Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Alberta to Quebec and Maine, south to South Carolina, west to Colorado, Montana. Lectotype |
| Female | Albany, NY. ( 4 ) |
What does Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 eat?
The diet of the Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 includes Larvae feed on leaves of various poplar ( Populus deltoides, Populus fremontii, Populus grandidentata, Populus nigra ) and willow ( Salix ). ( 8 ).
When is Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822 active?
Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822: seasonal activity - Adults fly from July to September..
What is the life cycle of a Meske's Underwing - Hodges#8822?
One generation per year; overwinters as an egg. Larva; head; prepupal larva in shelter; adult