Catocala violenta
kah-TOCK-uh-lahmvye-oh-LEN-tuh
Henry Edwards, 1880

Catocala violenta Arizona, courtesy of Bruce Walsh.

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TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Noctuidae Group: Noctuinina Subfamily: Catocalinae Genus: Catocala, Schrank, 1802

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DISTRIBUTION:

Catocala violenta (wingspan: 65-80mm) flies from Colorado to Arizona, east to Texas and into Mexico.

It has also been reported in New Mexico and Utah

The two elongated, well-defined spikes high in the postmedial line, extending to the subterminal line greatly resemble those of Catocala ilia Cramer. The next tooth is very short. There is considerable brown shading in the forewing between the postmedial and subterminal lines. The subreniform spot is light with a light bar extending obliquely to the costa. In the hindwing, the inner black band is almost complete and there are considerable dark hairs along the inner margin, well onto the claret scales of the basal area. The almost straight-lined, slightly obtuse angle formed by the inner edge of the black marginal band is a consistent character. The hindwing fringe is white and heavily barred.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala violenta flies as a single generation with moths on the wing from July into August. The Catocala violenta caterpillar feeds on oak species.

Catocala violenta, Walnut Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona,
September 13, 2008, courtesy of Evan Rand.

Catocala violenta, Payson, Gila County, Arizona,
August 10, 2007, courtesy of Evan Rand.

Catocala violenta, Payson, Gila County, Arizona,
August 6, 2007, courtesy of Evan Rand.

Visit Catocala violenta, Long Park, Chiricahua Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, July 2, 2010, courtesy of Evan Rand.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae formed under leaf litter.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala violenta females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their antennae to track the scent plume.

Catocala violenta (probably female) from Mexico, courtesy of Kirby Wolfe.

Catocala violenta (probably male) from 1 mi S Pena Blanca Lake, 3960'
Santa Cruz Co, AZ. Aug 4 1999, Kelly Richers, collector, at uv trap.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited on tree bark in the fall and hatch the following spring.

Catocala violenta fifth instar, courtesy of Gabriel Larrabee. copyright

Catocala violenta fifth instar, courtesy of Gabriel Larrabee. copyright

Catocala violenta fifth instar, courtesy of Gabriel Larrabee. copyright

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive, although some species seem very host specific. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Quercus gambeli.......

Gambel Oak

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