The Texan Underwing: Catocala texanae

[trehopr1]

Recently, an active member of our forum (58chevy)
noted a capture of Catocala texanae over the past
Memorial Day weekend. He made mention that he had
not captured the species since he was a little kid.

This peaked my attention to a species which I was
not familiar with and one which appears to be an early
appearing species for Texas. Literature indicates that
adults are on the wing from May to June.

So, through the kind and prompt efforts of 58chevy (Dave)
I am posting this photograph of his wonderful specimen.



This is a quite fresh appearing example of this marvelous species. My sources indicate probably one
generation per year.

The species was first described by George Hazen French in 1902. Through my readings it appears
the species may be (endemic) to Texas. If anyone knows differently then please make mention of it.

Thank you very much David for sharing your extraordinary capture with us !

[58chevy]

Looks like this moth also ranges into Oklahoma & Colorado, according to this map:
mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=8830

[trehopr1]

Thank you for the update Dave on the range of that species.

A very fortunate capture indeed.

[leptraps]

I have a specimen that the late Ed Knudson gave me in 1999. During the Lep. Soc. Meeting in Houston, TX in 1999. I collected several in my Bait Traps during the field trips. I was unware of them until I returned home and mounted them.

I have a series of a specimens from the Fort Davis Mountains labeled Catocala texanae(?). I should take a photograph and post it here for someone to ID.

[bobw]

How big is it? There's no scale on the photo.

[58chevy]

The specimen in the photo has a wingspan of 80mm, as mounted. Pretty big for a Catocala.