The Darling Underwing (C. cara) a perspective....

[Trehopr1]

Probably one of the (most) striking species of Catocala
found in mostly the eastern (half) of the U.S is the
Darling Underwing (Catocala cara). The species was first
described by Achille Guenee in 1852. For perspective, our
1st catocala species (C. epione) was named by Dru Drury
(a british entomologist) in 1773. So, it took 79 long years
to finally name (C. cara) which seems extraordinarily
long for such a rather (large) and yet boldly colored
species of underwing.

Darling Underwing (C.cara) (Male-top / Female-bottom)


The larvae of this fabulously deep scarlet-pink species
are said to feed upon popular and cottonwood with a
particular fondness for black willow. I have all of these
trees present in my area yet, I have checked several
times for larvae and have never run across one.

I have had very minimal luck over the years finding
adults of the species in my general region although, they
are there. It has certainly (for me) remained one of THE
more difficult species to encounter despite having run
across some 30 species by my last count. I have never had
it show up at any lights (unlike many other species); so I
have come to believe that it is a species largely attracted
to baits. Thus, sugaring is probably the best method of
possibly getting any....

Having only collected 4 specimens these last 20+ years
I didn't exactly have enough of a series to notice subtle
differences between the sexes. However, through a very
kind and helpful member (here) I was able to secure a
larger sampling of (cara) via some trading (for which I
am eternally grateful) !

Looking at the above photograph one will notice that
(males) have very much "blacker" forewings and bolder
almost (intense) scarlet-pink hindwings. Relatively, fresh
examples also exhibit a "purplish" sheen over those truly
black forewings. Females, though still beautiful in their
more somber pink shades offer a much more bark-like
forewing pattern on more brownish forewings.

It was not until I was able to acquire additional specimens
for a larger series (comparison) that I noticed these subtle
and yet obvious differences between the sexes of this moth.

While it can be said that a look at the genitalia or the
frenulum will settle most issues; neither is (always)
necessarily easy to see on dried specimens. Size differences
are also not exactly a sure thing either as there are
large examples of both sexes amongst catocala.

I hope this helps those who might have few examples
of this splendid species in their collection. Finally, having
an acceptable series (for comparison) has certainly opened
my eyes.

[vabrou]

Here in Louisiana we have Catocala carissima which is easily distinguished from C. cara by the apical forewing patches and deeper red color on the hindwings in C carissima. Here is my species account published 16 years ago on C carissima in Louisiana. You can see the differences in male and female compared to C. cara.

[58chevy]

The first underwing I ever captured was C. cara (later determined to be carissima). It was on a tree at my grandparents' house in Houma, LA. I was about 10 years old. I ran & told my grandfather, who grabbed a cyanide killing jar that he had made for my uncle's 4-H insect collection project. I quickly placed it over the moth. It lasted about 2 seconds in the cyanide fumes and was not damaged. I remember being very impressed with the intense red of the hindwings. I still have the specimen.

[Trehopr1]

A wonderful species account Vernon !

Thank you for your interest and participation.

[Chuck]

For perspective, our
1st catocala species (C. epione) was named by Dru Drury
(a british entomologist) in 1773. So, it took 79 long years
to finally name (C. cara) which seems extraordinarily
long

That IS amazing! What a neat bit of trivia.