Subspecies Catocala herodias gerhardi - Gerhard's Underwing

Catocala gerhardi; (Barnes & Benjamin; Catocala, 1927a:8, A synonym of Catocala herodias, Strecker 1876.)

Approx 50-5mm

The forewing is grey and brown, generally lacking any trace of medial lines. Instead forewing veins are somewhat darkened in the median areas with white streaks from the post medial line to the outer fringe, running parallel to the inner margin. Has a very light, almost white border along the forewing costa.

This subspecies occurs in the Northeast, from coastal New England south to Virginia. It is locally abundant in coastal pine-oak barrens, such as Cape Cod, the New Jersey Pine Barrens, and the pine barrens of Long Island, NY.

Oak/Pine Barrens

June to August; peak in July

Oak species

Eggs are laid on bark in fall and hatch in spring. Adults eclose from pupae at soil surface.

The parent species, Catocala herodias (Herodias Underwing), is very similar, but distinguished by the lack of the very light, almost white border along the forewing costa present in gerhardi.

All-Leps - Images of pinned adults (including parent species) & map of sample collection points

Moth Photographers Group - Image of pinned adult

Bill Oehlke's Catocala - Images of pinned & live adults, as well as life cycle, range, and other bio info