Catocala connubialis
kah-TOCK-uh-lah mm kon-new-BEE-al-is
Guenee, 1852

Catocala connubialis form "sancta", courtesy of Leroy Simon, Florida

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Noctuidae Group: Noctuinina Subfamily: Catocalinae Genus: Catocala, Schrank, 1802

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DISTRIBUTION:

Catocala connubialis, the Connubial Underwing, (wingspan: 37-47mm), flies from Ontario to Prince Edward Island in Canada, south to Florida and west to Texas (as early as May 25) and Oklahoma and Missouri.

The forewing is highly variable and there are several different forms: "sancta" Hulst (bottom) is the typical form and has forewings with white ground colour and sharply contrasting black lines and markings. There is also brown shading between post medial and subterminal lines; "cordelia" H. Edwards is coloured as above but markings are faint; "pulverulenta" (top) Brower has grey-green forewings with faint markings, sometimes none; "broweri" Muller is the melanic form with forewings that are dark green, almost black. The hindwing has a separate anal spot and the outer band ends with a straight cut. The white outer fringe at the hindwing apex is distinct and slightly more advanced than the yellow-orange inner fringe. The ramaining fringe is pale yellow-orange and heavily barred. Trio courtesy of James K. Adams.

Catocala connubialis, variation, Florida, courtesy of Leroy Simon.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala connubialis are usually on the wing from June to early September.

The Catocala connubialis caterpillar shows a preference for oaks, particularly red oak.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala connubialis females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their antennae to track the scent plume.

Catocala connubialis form "sancta", courtesy of Leroy Simon, Florida

EGGS, CATERPILLARS, COCOONS, AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring.

Catocala connubialis courtesy of David Wagner.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive, although some species seem very host specific. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Cephalanthus occidentalis....... Melia azedarach Quercus rubra

Buttonbush Chinaberry Northern red oak

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