Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Catocala crataegi Saunders, 1876
(1),
(2) Explanation of Names
Specific epithet for the host plant genus (Crataegus).
Identification
Adult - forewing with dark blackish shading in basal area continuing along inner margin to anal angle; postmedial (PM) line bordered distally by broad reddish-brown band - this band is pale and its distal margin is diffuse and indistinct; reniform spot large, indistinct, kidney-shaped; median area of wing sometimes has greenish cast. Hindwing yellowish-orange with black terminal band usually broken near anal angle.
Range
Eastern North America: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Arkansas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario.
Type locality: London, Ontario, Canada.
(4)Season
Adults fly from late June to August.
Food
Larvae feed on the leaves of hawthorn, apple, crabapple and pear.
(5)Life Cycle
Life cycle images:
larva on Crataegus opaca; adult
Remarks
It appears there may not be any current diagnostic criteria for reliably and consistently separating blandula/mira/crataegi and maybe even pretiosa.
As an example, here are the *expected* appearance and differences between blandula, mira and crataegi respectively, as the written descriptions would place them:
(images courtesy of MPG, copyright Jim Vargo)
C. blandula C. mira C. crataegi
Now, here are three different images (all courtesy of BOLD Systems) of each of those species, showing the variation that will often preclude any reliable distinction based on the accepted descriptions.
C. blandula
C. mira
C. crataegi
It seems C. pretiosa may be more likely to be distinguished in many cases due to it's strongly contrasting pale median area, but even specimens of that species can often blend right in with the others, such as the two specimens below:
Since these species share range, food, and season, the best approach to identifying and placing them here on BugGuide (where dissection and/or DNA sequencing has not been done) is probably a combined species complex page (i.e., a blandula-mira-crataegi species page). Until that is decided and created, individual specimens are likely to be placed to the page of whichever species they most "look like" per the old descriptions.
Print References
Barnes, Wm. & J.H. McDunnough, 1918. Illustrations of the North American species of the genus Catocala.
Memoirs of the AMNH 2(1): p.
39;
Pl.10, f.4-5;
Pl.12, f.18 (larva).
(2)
Saunders, W., 1876. Notes on Catocalas.
The Canadian Entomologist 8(4):
72.
