Sweetheart underwing? - Catocala ultronia

Catocala ultronia (8857)

I am going to end this debate. This moth is Catocala ultronia, "Ultronia underwing". It is not the "Sweetheart underwing", Catocala amatrix (8834), which is twice the size of C. ultronia in the north and three times the size in north Florida.

… richard m. gillmore, 3 November, 2006 - 12:12am

Bob being an expert ...

...I'm happy with his diagnosis. Now how do I post this picture to the guide?

… Clifford, 25 July, 2005 - 12:23pm

8857 - Ultronia Underwing - Catocala ultronia

Photos can be deceptive. According to Covell, Ultronia is just a bit larger than Sweetheart. Regardless of size, they are both eye-stoppers.

… Bob Patterson, 25 July, 2005 - 12:15pm

Size question.

Bob, in my experience, ultronia is relatively wimpy, and amatrix is just gigantic (Cincinnati, and southern Missouri). Maybe it is a gender thing, or a regional thing? Just curious:-)

… Eric R. Eaton, 26 July, 2005 - 2:34pm

I agree...

It definitely looks more like Ultronia than Sweetheart, in spite of its small size. I'm glad I put the ruler in this photo, as evidence of size, the first time I've ever done that!

… Clifford, 25 July, 2005 - 12:20pm

No.

This is not the sweetheart. Those are HUGE, and have a dark stripe across the forewing,from the base to the tip, or nearly so. They tend to be more grey than brown, too. This specimen sports a forewing pattern I have not seen before.

… Eric R. Eaton, 25 July, 2005 - 11:45am

Dang it, I thought I had this one for sure

Well, the mystery is on, then. What is this lovely night flyer?

… Clifford, 25 July, 2005 - 12:12pm