Catocala amestris
Encyclopedia
The Three-staff Underwing (Catocala amestris) is a species of Catocalini
that occurs in North America
. It is considered endangered and is legally protected in the state of Michigan
.
, C. amestris has a brightly colored hindwing and brownish-gray forewings, the wingspan is 1.6-1.8in (4-4.5 cm). The forewings have a blotch that strongly resembles a kidney shape, beyond that the wing has mixed wavy lines. The hindwings have two wavy black lines separating a yellow-orange coloration. The caterpillar
of this species is bluish white with a yellowish coloring on the dorsum
, or top side. It also has an orange band along with 7 thin black lines on its sides.
, the moth is hard to find in even these areas.
Catocalini
The Catocalini are a noctuid moth tribe, the largest in the Catocalinae subfamily. Most subtribes are small, but some—such as the Toxocampina and the Ophiusina—contain many genera....
that occurs in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It is considered endangered and is legally protected in the state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
.
Description
Like most underwingsCatocala
Catocala is a genus of noctuid moths commonly known as Underwings. Most species have brightly coloured underwings, orange, red, or white. The genus name is a combination of two Greek words, kato behind, and kalos beautiful...
, C. amestris has a brightly colored hindwing and brownish-gray forewings, the wingspan is 1.6-1.8in (4-4.5 cm). The forewings have a blotch that strongly resembles a kidney shape, beyond that the wing has mixed wavy lines. The hindwings have two wavy black lines separating a yellow-orange coloration. The caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
of this species is bluish white with a yellowish coloring on the dorsum
Dorsum
Dorsum is a Latin word. In science, it could mean:* Dorsum , the posterior side of an animal* Dorsum , a term used in astrogeology for a ridge* Theta Capricorni, a star on the back of the Goat...
, or top side. It also has an orange band along with 7 thin black lines on its sides.
Habitat
Between June and August this moth can be seen in dry-mesic prairie lands and oak forest. Due to only having one host plant, Amorpha canescensAmorpha canescens
Amorpha canescens is a 1–3 feet tall deciduous shrub in the Pea family that is native to North America. It has very small purple flowers which are grouped in racemes. The compound leaves of this plant appear leaden due to their dense hairiness...
, the moth is hard to find in even these areas.