Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1
Catocala pretiosa
This record describes Catocala pretiosa (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults - lighter median and basal area than the similar Catocala crataegi and Catocala mira Larvae - figured in Rare, Declining, and Poorly Known Butterflies and Moths of Forests and Woodlands in the Eastern United States fig. 260, 261. ( 4 )
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
Mesic to wet hardwood forests, including riparian and seepage swamps. ( 4 )
Geographic Range
Catocala pretiosa texarkana is found from Florida to Texas. Catocala pretiosa pretiosa is found in Connecticut , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Virginia. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Beach plum, Prunus maritima Serviceberry, Amelanchier sp. Apple, Malus sp. Red chokeberry, Photinia arbutifolia
Life History
See Schweitzer, 1982 in Print References.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin meaning "precious."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala pretiosa. 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 Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1
What is Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1?
Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1 (Catocala pretiosa) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1?
Wingspan 40-50 mm.
How do you identify Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1?
Adults - lighter median and basal area than the similar Catocala crataegi and Catocala mira Larvae - figured in Rare, Declining, and Poorly Known Butterflies and Moths of Forests and Woodlands in the Eastern United States fig. 260, 261. ( 4 )
Where is Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Mesic to wet hardwood forests, including riparian and seepage swamps. ( 4 ) |
| Range | Catocala pretiosa texarkana is found from Florida to Texas. Catocala pretiosa pretiosa is found in Connecticut , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Virginia. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data. |
What does Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1 eat?
The diet of the Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1 includes Larval hosts include: ( 4 ) Beach plum, Prunus maritima Serviceberry, Amelanchier sp. Apple, Malus sp. Red chokeberry, Photinia arbutifolia.
What is the life cycle of a Precious Underwing - Hodges#8858.1?
See Schweitzer, 1982 in Print References.