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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Owlet Moths and kin (Noctuoidea) » Erebidae » Erebinae » Omopterini » Zale
Photo#1880687
ID? Catocala-like moth. - Zale
Copyright © 2020 Lapis The Mothman

ID? Catocala-like moth. - Zale
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
August 22, 2020
Size: Wingspan 1.5-2 inches
Eclosed 8/22/20. Found this moth as a caterpillar on a willow bush. The caterpillar looks extremely similar to some Catocala caterpillars. I was so sure it was the Catocala species that lives around here, I was shocked when this moth emerged. The underside of the caterpillar had the pinkish red like some underwing species, and the pupa even had the white powdery substance like Catocala. It sits flat like some Geometers, and the thorax gives it the appearance of having cat or bat ears. Also, is it male or female? I can't touch it without it going crazy and flying away so it's hard for me to tell.

Images of this individual: tag all
ID? Catocala-like moth. - Zale ID? Catocala-like moth. - Zale ID? Catocala-like moth. - Zale
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Contributed by Lapis The Mothman on 23 August, 2020 - 10:14pm
Last updated 24 August, 2020 - 12:31am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Bob Biagi, 24 August, 2020 - 12:31am login or register to post comments

 
Zale lunata?
Could this be Zale lunata, and is there a way to tell if it's a male or female?
… Lapis The Mothman, 24 August, 2020 - 3:42am login or register to post comments

 
Maybe
That might be your species, but there are a few look-a-likes. So, hold on for an expert.
There is not any easy way to gender this genus without dissection, sorry.
… Bob Biagi, 24 August, 2020 - 8:23am login or register to post comments

 
Pheromones?
Do these moths use pheromones to attract a mate?
… Lapis The Mothman, 30 August, 2020 - 10:13pm login or register to post comments

 
Yes
That's the standard M.O. for most insects, especially the moths. I'm not sure if anyone has studied the behavior of this genus specifically though. (probably)
Males have short fasciculate (bundled) cilia on the antennae, but you need a microscope to see it.
… Bob Biagi, 31 August, 2020 - 9:18am login or register to post comments

 
Tibial Hairs
On Wikipedia it says males have a hairy tibia. I'm pretty sure my specimen had a little tuft of hair on the tibia, but I didn't have the opposite sex to compare it to, so I don't know if that is a distinguishing feature.
… Lapis The Mothman, 31 August, 2020 - 6:15pm login or register to post comments

 
Greetings from Spokane!
We should arrange to rendezvous if you plan on doing some mothing in the Spokane area this year, 2021. Send a note: CDBarrentine@outlook.com

Best wishes, Carl
… Carl Barrentine, 29 January, 2021 - 10:42am login or register to post comments

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