The Holy Grail of Catocala?

[leptraps]

What is the Holy Grail of Catocala?

[Deleted]

In my humble opinion......it's C. marmorata.

[Deleted]

C. sappho to me.

[jhyatt]

Mine would have to be Catocala nivea - preferably one of the very white ones from China/Tibet. True it is palearctic, but it looks so cool that it would be the one I'd most like to catch.

[leptraps]

How about Catocala dulciola!

Who has a specimen?

I have managed to collect three in my life time.

1978/ 22 June : Virginia, Montgomery County. On gas station wall near Blacksburg. Single Male

2004/ 30 May : Kentucky, Christian County, Pennyrile State Forest. In Light Trap. Single Male

2017/ 14 June : Indiana, Monroe County, Possum Trot Trail Head. A few more than I have now!!

As I ask aove, who has a specimen?

I have started my Catocala season off with a BANG!!!!!

[hewi]

For me, Catocala martyrum and Catocala sponsalis

[trehopr1]

I concure with jhyatt and his remarks regarding Catocala nivea. Simply beautiful species. As far as American species are concerned, I find rarities intriguing to potentially collect but, my "grail" species are based more on outstanding color present. Having said this I think Catocala cara and Catocala concumbens beat everything else hands down. The pink coloration of those 2 species (in fresh specimens) has no equal here in America.

[rayrard]

My grails are C. marmorata and C. sappho.

My attainable ones in the northeast would be C. meskei, C. briseis, and C. semirelicta.

Lots of small species out there but C. messalina is intriguing

[leptraps]

After I collected my first Catocala duciola, I had no idea what I had. It was in a drawer of UFO's until Dr. Charles Covell identified it some 20 years later.

I collected my second one in 2003 and knew what is was the second I saw it. In 2004 and 2005 I returned to the location numerous time with four or five Light Traps and a dozen Bait Traps and never saw another.

I have three males. I have seen two other specimens and both were males.

It is not a stunning species like those others have suggested for the Holy Grail. And one must remember that the Holy Grail was the Cup of Christ and it was a simple man's cup.

Are we allow to discuss religion here? I don't know about the Holy Grail but I could open a real Can of Worms!!

What is the Holy Grail of Sessidae Moths?

[exoticimports]

And to think, I'm frustrating with having to dedicate another drawer for catocala by-catch.


Chuck

[Deleted]

Jun 15, 2017 20:38:22 GMT -8 trehopr1 said:

I concure with jhyatt and his remarks regarding Catocala nivea. Simply beautiful species. As far as American species are concerned, I find rarities intriguing to potentially collect but, my "grail" species are based more on outstanding color present. Having said this I think Catocala cara and Catocala concumbens beat everything else hands down. The pink coloration of those 2 species (in fresh specimens) has no equal here in America.

I posted my earlier opinion based on toughness to come by and from the US. There are surely plenty of great cats outside the US like nivea. While marmorata is both at the top for toughness and a beauty, I agree w trehopr1 that cara (and carissima) are the most stunning. The pink of concumbens is hard to beat as well. One other really gorgeous one is coccinata......talk abt pink/red......these guys are awesome and would be among the very favorites of mine.

[Deleted]

Jun 16, 2017 4:24:44 GMT -8 exoticimports said:

And to think, I'm frustrating with having to dedicate another drawer for catocala by-catch.


Chuck

What a terribly wonderful predicament to have.

[jonathan]

Now that you are in the topic, my Catocala are stored in absolute darkness but I still notice that fresh specimens are darker and have more contrast compared to old speciemns. So even though I store the specimens in pitch black conditions, they still tend to slightly fade. Any suggestions from your experience how to mitigate against the risk of fading please? Thanks.

[trehopr1]

Jonathan, as you know the colors in most Lepidoptera are created largely by organic pigments called melanins. These pigments are chemical based and and vary so hence we have our various "shades" of each color. Over time, these melanins breakdown or are in the very-least degraded somewhat so that specimens overall appearance lacks the "pop" they may have once had.
In most cases, at best I would say most things are only slightly duller in color appearance overall. I would not say faded as that implies some exposure to light which truely breaks-up or destroyes the melanins present.
Examples of color change I've noticed over time are some of the following: light yellows may become darker yellows, oranges may become darker orange (or even slightly reddish), vivid black colors as well as rich brown coloration may take on a more "matte" appearance, and so on....
Another thing to keep in mind is that their are other factors present which may also play some effect on the melanins present (over time). You may have not thought of these but, here we go: #1. Fumigants (naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene, and no-pest strips which are sometimes cut into small squares by some collectors), #2. Adhesives which may be present such as that which bonds foam in unit trays or a foam sheet to the bottom of a drawer or that which is used to bond paper to cork as is used in older style drawers. The "off-gassing" of the chemical adhesive will always be there in a closed unit like a drawer. #3 Foam Off-gassing. The very foam we use in our various boxes and drawers does indeed have a chemical composition. Those chemicals present have an odor and likewise off-gas.
In short, slight color change is inevitable with time but, with proper care and attention your collection will afford you a lifetime of fond memories. Perhaps, when you are aged it may find a new home at a museum or in another collector's collection where it too will be enjoyed and appreciated for a great many years !

[africaone]

and pictures of these holly grails ?