A New Moth for the Mothers

Habilis Underwing [Catocala habilis]
photo by M. Winn 7/24/05

Last night at about 9:30 pm a new species of moth showed up at the Moth Tree, the Habilis Underwing. The Central Park Mothers were ecstatic, even though the unobliging critter failed to open its forewings and reveal more than a sliver of its light orange-yellow and black underwing. It was the 18th species in the Catocala family on the Central Park list.

Below is the current list, with the new addition. [You'll love the names.]

Underwing Moths seen in Central Park over the years

Common name*****Latin name*****Plate in Field Guide*****Dates seen

1. Girlfriend Underwing Catocala amica 32[14,15] – 7/14/95, 7/8,26/99, 8/6,10, etc./04, 7/10, 14, 23, 24/05

2. Ultronia Underwing Catocala ultronia 33[9] – 7/22,26/99, 8/9/99, 8/2,6/04, 7/10, 14,21,24/05

3. Little Underwing Catocala minuta 33[14] - 2000, 7/14/05

4. Widow Underwing Catocala vidua 34[4] – 8/11,17/99, 8/20/01, 8/3,5,16,17,18/04

5. Sad Underwing Catocala maestosa 34[9] - 8/9,16, 18/99, 8/17/04, 7/14/05

6. Yellow-gray Underwing Catocala recta 34[10] – 8/13/01, 8/2,5/04

7. Tearful Underwing Catocala lacrymosa 35{3] 8/12/04

8. White Underwing Catocala relicta 35[9] – 8/3/99, 8/15,20/01

9. Habilis Underwing Catocala habilis 36[8] 7/24/05

10. Yellow-banded Underwing Catocala cerogamma 36[9] – 8/13,16/99, 9/4/04,

11. The Bride Catocala neogama 36[12] – 8/3,16/99, 8/8,15,17/01, 8/10,17,18/04

12. Youthful Underwing Catocala subnata – 36[18] 8/ 16 /04

13. Locust Underwing Euparthenos nubilis 37[5] 8/3/04

14. Ilia Underwing Catocala ilia 37[7] – 8/27/98, 8/9/99, 7/1,14/00, 8/2etc./04, 7/10,11,13 etc/05

15. Once-married Underwing Catocala unijuga 37[9] – 8/4/99, 7/29/048/9,17,18/04, , 9/3/04, 7/14/05

16. The Penitent Catocala piatrix 37[11] – 8/27/98, 8/10/99, 7/29/04

17. The Sweetheart Catocala amatrix 37[13] – 8/2,16/99, 8/20/01, 8/6,16,17,18/04 8/2,6,7,16,17/04

18. Darling Underwing Catocala cara 37[20] 9/3/04