Explanation of Names
Species name vidua is Latin for widow. (Based on Internet searches.)
Identification
Adult: forewing pale gray with black arc beginning mid-costa and running just above reniform spot to apex; upper AM and PM lines with heavy black shading; straight black streak runs parallel to inner margin from base to outer margin (streak is broken only by AM and ST lines, and may be described as a basal dash, median dash, and anal dash - all inline); reniform spot surrounded by white ring; subreniform spot with open "tail" connecting to PM line; hindwing black with broad white fringe
Range
southern Ontario and Maine to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin
Habitat
Deciduous forests containing food plants; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light
Food
Larvae feed on primarily on leaves of hickory, pecan, walnut (Juglandaceae); other hosts include oak, willow, and Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).
Adults come to moth bait, so presumably feed on plant sap, etc.
Life Cycle
one generation per year; overwinters as an egg laid on tree bark in the fall
See Also
Dejected Underwing (
Catocala dejecta) lacks a black arc running from mid-costa to apex;
Yellow-gray Underwing (
C. retecta) lacks a straight black streak running parallel to inner margin from base to outer margin (
compare CBIF images of all three species)
Sad Underwing (
C. maestosa) and Marbled Underwing (
C. marmorata) lack a straight black streak running parallel to inner margin [the latter species also has orange bands on hindwing] (
compare MPG images of all three species)
Print References
Covell, p. 306, plate 34#14
(1)Internet References
Maryland Moths pinned adult images and food plants (Larry Line, Maryland)
Dallas Butterflies pinned adult image and food plants (Dale Clark, Texas)
live and pinned adult images plus distribution, description, food plants, flight season, biology (Bill Oehlke, silkmoths.bizland.com)
pinned adult image and comparison photos of similar species (Moth Photographers Group)
Contributed by
Cotinis on 22 December, 2004 - 7:31am
Additional contributions by
Robin McLeodLast updated 18 March, 2006 - 1:40pm
