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Species Details
Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameWhite Underwing, The Relict
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from late July through September.
IdentificationA large (6.7-7.5 cm wingpan) moth with white forewings crossed by several diffuse black bands and lines, the most prominent being the median band. The hindwings are jet black with a white median band and a narrow white terminal band and fringe. The amount of dark scaling on the forewings varies greatly among populations. The antennae are simple and the adults look alike. Unmistakable.
Scientific Name
Catocala relicta
Common Name
White Underwing, The Relict
Habitat
Mature hardwood and mixedwood forest, in particular aspen forest.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing from late July through September.
Identification
A large (6.7-7.5 cm wingpan) moth with white forewings crossed by several diffuse black bands and lines, the most prominent being the median band. The hindwings are jet black with a white median band and a narrow…
A large (6.7-7.5 cm wingpan) moth with white forewings crossed by several diffuse black bands and lines, the most prominent being the median band. The hindwings are jet black with a white median band and a narrow white terminal band and fringe. The amount of dark scaling on the forewings varies greatly among populations. The antennae are simple and the adults look alike. Unmistakable.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but they are best collected using sugar baits. The adults emerge in late summer and early fall, and the eggs overwinter. The larvae, which are solitary defoliators, hatch in…
Adults are nocturnal and come to light, but they are best collected using sugar baits. The adults emerge in late summer and early fall, and the eggs overwinter. The larvae, which are solitary defoliators, hatch in May and can be found until early August. There is one brood per year.
Conservation
A common, widespread insect. No concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data. Elsewhere in Canada the larvae feed mainly on Aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides). Also reported, much less frequently, from Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), willow (Salix) and White birch (Betula…
No Alberta data. Elsewhere in Canada the larvae feed mainly on Aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides). Also reported, much less frequently, from Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), willow (Salix) and White birch (Betula papyrifera).
Range
Across southern Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, south to Missouri and Arizona. In Alberta, it is found throughout the Aspen parklands, southern Boreal forest north to the northern Peace River area, and…
Across southern Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, south to Missouri and Arizona. In Alberta, it is found throughout the Aspen parklands, southern Boreal forest north to the northern Peace River area, and the foothills and lower elevations in the mountains. It is also present in smaller numbers in cottonwood stands along the rivers of the grasslands region (Dinosaur Provincial Park and Lethbridge).
Citation
Page Citation for Catocala relicta
Page Citation
"Species Details - Catocala relicta, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-811/9-117739. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
References
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1962)
Publication Date
1962
Volume
2
Pages
281
Author
Sargent, Theodore, D
Title
Legion of night : the underwing moths
Publication Date
1976
Pages
222
Specimen Information
There are 126 specimens of this Species.
UASM13902 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-27
UASM13910 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Sundance
Collected ByHocking, Brian
Date Collected1955-09-04
UASM13912 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake
Collected BySalt, W.
Date Collected1966-09-03
UASM13915 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1910-08-14
UASM13918 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1916-08-23
UASM13920 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-08-07
UASM13933 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Blackfalds
Date Collected1915-08-17/1915-08-24
UASM13934 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Blackfalds
Date Collected1915-08-17/1915-08-24
UASM13935 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByFuller, E.
Date Collected1995-08-27
UASM13945 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1916-08-25
UASM13947 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-22
UASM13949 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1916-09-01
UASM13953 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1916-08-23
UASM13954 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake
Collected BySalt, W.
Date Collected1966-08-22
UASM13955 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake
Date Collected1966-09-04
UASM13959 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-09-11
UASM13960 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-08-19
UASM13963 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake
Date Collected1966-08-26
UASM13967 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Pigeon Lake
Date Collected1966-08-26
UASM13969 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByWhitehouse, F. C.
Date Collected1916-09-29
UASM13973 - Catocala relicta
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1919-08-19