Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780
Catocala robinsonii
This record describes Catocala robinsonii (species). Recorded family: Erebidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Large underwing, forewings very pale, hindwings dark, flies in fall. Two forms, see print references.
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
Eastern half of North America. Lectotype male: Pennsylvania. ( 7 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly August-November.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Larvae feed on foliage of Juglans, Carya, Quercus . ( 8 ) , ( 6 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named in honor of entomologist Coleman Townsend Robinson (1839-1872) who died young one month before publication.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Catocala robinsonii. 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 Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780
What is Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780?
Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780 (Catocala robinsonii) is a species in the family Erebidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780?
Wingspan 7-8 cm. ( 6 )
How do you identify Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780?
Large underwing, forewings very pale, hindwings dark, flies in fall. Two forms, see print references.
Where is Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Range | Eastern half of North America. Lectotype |
| Male | Pennsylvania. ( 7 ) |
When is Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780 active?
Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780: seasonal activity - Adults fly August-November..
What is the life cycle of a Robinson's Underwing - Hodges#8780?
Larvae feed on foliage of Juglans, Carya, Quercus . ( 8 ) , ( 6 )