jhyatt
Aurelian
Posts: 224
Country: U.S.A.
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Post by jhyatt on Mar 4, 2018 15:49:51 GMT
We lived for about 12 years in a house in the woods on top of a ridge on the TN/VA border and I ran a bait trap at the edge of the woods in back of the house every summer. C. nebulosa was fairly dependable, but never abundant. We were definitely above the altitude for black walnut (it was common at the foot of the ridge), and there was certainly no swamp hickory thereabouts. I always suspected it also fed on shagbark or some other hickory, although I suppose that emerging adults might fly upslope for some reason, like hiltopping butterflies. We were in mostly poplar/hickory/oak woods which had previously been a chestnut-predominated forest.
Another oddity that I often got in the same trap was the butterfly Lethe creola. The literature says it's usually found near canebrakes at watercourses, but our ridgetop was a long way from any such habitat. It was definitely crepuscular - I'd find it in the trap in very early morning before I left for work.
jh
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2018 18:02:58 GMT
Magdalen Underwing (Catocala illecta) Walker 1858 Here we have a rather unique species among American Catocala. The Magdalen underwing is one of a very few true "yellow" underwings of this region. It is a medium-sized species (wingspan:60-70mm) which is found in the region of our Great Lakes states as well as some of the Central Plains states. A species of the early summer kind; it is usually seen from early June until maybe mid-July if conditions are favorable. I see it as an "occasional" species which at best you may only encounter as one or two examples at any one time. As can be seen in the photograph the forewings are of a pale grey with faint black lines whilst the hindwings are of a beautiful medium yellow hue. Of coarse, the yellow varies some and some specimens may appear more golden yellow or even orange-ish in color. The abdomen additionally bears a full coat of colored hairs (unlike most species) which correspond to the hindwing hue which is present. It is especially vibrant in live specimens (I might add)! The larvae feed upon Black locust, Honey locust, and Lead plant. Although, I have looked at all of these and never found a larvae! A "cracking" good species to find in fresh condition and an absolute must for any Catocala enthusiast...
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Post by rayray on Mar 5, 2018 18:58:53 GMT
One of the most beautiful and unique Catocala from the U.S. is Catocala herodias. This one is the population "gerhardi" that is strongly disjunct from the rest of the populations found in Texas. The northeastern herodias are found only in scrub oak barrens along with the sympatric C. jair. Catocala jair is like a lineella but strongly blue-gray. you might not get more than these two species where they are found, but you might come across C. umbrosa in barrens. I have yet to find umbrosa. Attachments:
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Post by rayray on Mar 5, 2018 18:59:21 GMT
Catocala jair Attachments:
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2018 19:54:36 GMT
Pink or Sleepy Underwing (Catocala concumbens) Walker 1858 Of all our many "pink" species of Catocala in all their various hues; this one is pretty much tops in awesomeness... It is a medium-sized species (wingspan: 65-75mm) which is found in the Northern Great lakes states and as far east as Maine. I have only had privilege to collect this species on one occasion which you see here. The forewings of this species are of a silvery grey color with faint black lines (much like C. illecta). The hindwings have a "dirty white" uninterrupted fringe; whilst the whole of the pink coloration can best be described as "hot pink". For my European followers of this thread I can say that the East European species (Catocala pacta) most closely resembles the hue evident in this species. I believe this to be a late summer/early fall species as many photo's I've seen (as of late) are dated from Mid-August and further on... It's food plants are said to be Eastern Cottonwood, Lombardy Popular, Quaking Aspen, and Willow. On the occasion, when I collected mine it was the only one encountered that evening; therefore I cannot in all fairness remark upon it's status of collectibility (common, occasional, etc.). However, if ever there was a notable or truly outstanding species which an enthusiast desired to have in the collection; than this one surely ranks as one of the very best....
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2018 20:05:24 GMT
My that C. herodias is an especially nice "fresh hatch" example ! The vivid pink coloration of it's hindwings even "bleed" somewhat into the hindwing fringe. Super species. I have collected but, one example myself; it is however, a nice example similar to yours with colors a little less bold.
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 5, 2018 20:38:22 GMT
Relict or White Underwing (Catocala relicta) Walker 1858 Top to bottom: form clara / male form phrynia / female a variation of the nominate or possibly another form I'm unaware of.... / male I have brought this species to light earlier in this thread so I won't re-hash the details mentioned previous. Suffice it to say, this underwing species is a "honey" of a species to collect in numbers. A drawer full of fine specimens of these would be "staggering" to look upon (as you can well imagine). Variation enough to satisfy a king ! Incomparable in North America....
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Post by nomad on Mar 6, 2018 11:29:59 GMT
I see your favourites have been given a silver star.
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Post by Paul K on Mar 6, 2018 11:44:47 GMT
I see your favourites have been given a silver star.ย I think itโs golden ๐
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 6, 2018 16:26:40 GMT
A personal "touch" or caveat which I use within my collection is my use of gold and silver stars. Among the specimens which I have collected a (series) of I always like to indicate my very "best" example with a gold star. My close 2nd's get a silver star; and everybody else after them just falls in line according to their "condition". All of my "keepers" are still choice specimens throughout but, their minor "subtleties" separate them. As for the exotic portion of my collection; I pretty much only "gold star" my rarities, oldest specimens, and expensive items (not many in this last category...). I remember well, in elementary school my various teacher's use of these colored stars pasted on our homework or quizzes/tests. A "perfect" assignment (A) would receive a gold star. A second place (B) got a silver star and so on... If you got an (F) i.e. failure than you got a red star... And as the assignments were being returned in class you could visibly tell how other kids did on it. I suppose this notion has followed me along into adulthood and with my collection.๐ฑ
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 20, 2018 6:03:21 GMT
"Sugaring" is a time honored method used for attracting Underwing moths to bait. The concept is basic; first scout out a good stand or row of trees (20-30 will do). You than take a pre-mixed bait and apply a portion of it to the bark of each tree (approx. chest high); and then on to next until finished. Then, with the aid of a flashlight or lantern you re-trace your bait "trail" (tree by tree) and see who has shown up for the feast. A good night may see you walking your bait trail (3-5) times at least. It is just one of the "options" open to enthusiasts who seek out these beautiful moths. Additionally, the use of Mercury Vapor "lighting" and enclosed "suspended type" bait traps are also variously employed by enthusiasts in seeking out these elusive moths. If you really want species diversity present in your collection then it won't hurt to give all 3 techniques a go of it. If you relegate yourself to any one "method" than you will probably be missing out on some things. What may work for attracting some species may not work for others. A "good night" out sugaring is an adventure unto itself. The sounds of the forest, the humidity, the shadows, the dancing of the moths about the baited patch, the thrill of the hunt....(tough to beat). And yet, the method remains a combination of "trial and error" mixed with an air of un-certainty as to what the evening may produce. Only the right conditions it seems "aligning" will give you a truly good night out. Below, I give you an example of the possibilities present on a good night out sugaring. The specimens present were only collected within the first 2 hours of my sugaring adventure as an errant rainstorm rolled in and put a quick end to my exploits.... Just 2 hours of sugaring for moths These were just my "keeper" specimens and do not reflect the 25 or 30 others which arrived at my bait but, were deemed un-acceptable due to poor condition. While I consider this catch as "decent" for the limited time I had that evening; I have still had better trips. My best night EVER while sugaring saw me round-up 138 "keeper" specimens in 4 hours (representing 9 species) !! Unfortunately, nowadays I believe the practice of "sugaring for moths" has fallen out of favor with the younger crowd or upstarts. Methods more "industrial in nature" such as elaborate light setups or the use of multiple suspended bait traps has seemingly all but, relegated this methodology to a few "old timers", books, or the stories of legend. Should the "flair" for adventure (near your home) ever strike you and you don't mind a little footwork and some time to just be yourself (a naturalist); than plan for an evening out with the moths... Look for a day which has been hot and sultry. Maybe even, with a brief afternoon shower to kick up the humidity that evening. Have your tree line scouted out previous and your bait mixture at the ready. Pack up the kill bottles, don your headlamp, and proceed with boundless anticipation.... Good hunting!
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 20, 2018 6:45:40 GMT
Trehopr1's bait mixture: 5-6 lbs. brown sugar 2 bottles red wine (cheap but odorous)
1 can stale fermented beer 1 banana (thinly sliced and allowed to ferment) in a gal.size ziplock bag in the sun until it fills with air.
Place the contents in a plastic bucket adding the sugar gradually... Mix well using a "egg-beater"to churn everything to a fine paste (not too fluid); more like tree sap consistency. Once you are pleased with the consistency than bring along a medium sized new paintbrush (no oldies as solvents will taint the mixture and corrupt the odor). Apply a patch to each tree which is chest high and maybe 10in.L x 4in.W With this you should be able to bait 20-25 trees.
Note: You may wish to try other fruits on different outings for effect. Something different may show up to a different odor!
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Post by nomad on Mar 20, 2018 8:30:19 GMT
Great to see the time honoured way of attracting moths is still be used, a really good way of selective moth catching, those you do no need, get to enjoy a feast and fly another night. Really nice presented specimens. Sugaring is said to have been invented when two English grocers and entomologists, Edward and Henry Doubleday noticed that in 1832 moths were been attracted to their empty sugar barrels in their back yard of their business at Epping in Essex. By 1841, Henry Doubleday had perfected the method of putting a mixture of honey and sugar on foliage and trunk trunks and later the ingredients were refined somewhat. Even before light was used as a way of attracting moths, sugaring revolutionized moth collecting and many species that were once thought to be rare were found to be more common, but their was always and still is the excitement that something really rare would turn up and sometimes it does.
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Post by trehopr1 on Mar 20, 2018 14:33:49 GMT
I always wondered where the history of this method began. Fascinating history ! Thank you for the input Nomad.
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Post by trehopr1 on Apr 24, 2018 5:38:28 GMT
Variation among catocala is a topic I have only touched upon in this thread. Yet, it remains one of the primary reasons enthusiasts collect these moths in numbers. It is only thru collecting a series of a species that one can begin to appreciate the diversity and beauty present in any one thing. Some catocala species in particular show a remarkable array or amount of variance within the species. Below, is a photo illustrating just a sample of the variation present in the Beloved or Wife Underwing (Catocala ilia); one of our large, common, and reddish looking species. Forewing Pattern Variations found within Catocala ilia. The 2 specimens at the bottom of the column illustrate what I would say are "typical" examples of the species. The forewings on these tend to be a varying mix of browns/grey with a dash of black lines here and there. The reniform spot may be virtually absent (bottom specimen) or it may be neatly outlined by white scaling forming a well defined "spot" as seen in the specimen above it. From here, the species tends to become darker on the forewings overall (gradually); with the grey tones being largely or entirely squeezed out as the black/brown coloration takes over. The specimen which is the 2nd in the column best illustrates the gradation to darker. Eventually, the species reaches it's zenith of diversity in the example of the 1st/Top specimen. This named "form" is called (satanas). The forewings here as you can see are nearly black overall or entirely so. However, the odd thing about these very melanic examples is that the reniform spot always seems well defined if not "prominent". These very large white spots almost seem to form a set of glaring eyes against a black background. It is something of a treat to find one of these "satanas" forms at your light sheet or bait as these singular individuals only show up periodically among the large numbers of "typicals" one usually encounters. Though my photo may or may not show it; the color of the hindwings of each specimen vary also in hues of reddish color. Some appear reddish/orange, others a "dirty" red, and others a vibrant red. A common species yet, intriguing for it's many variations.
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