454 
CATOCALA. By M. Gaede. 
Subfamily Catocalinae. 
By Dr. A. Seitz. 
In contrast to the preceding subfamily, the representatives of which are generally small or medium small 
Noctuids, numerous Catocalinae are of a very considerable size and several of them, Avith an expanse of over 
17 cms., belong to the largest known Heterocera. Patulci macrops L. (Vol. 3, pi. 58 e), that extends into palae- 
arctic territory in E. Asia, is the largest knoAvn Noctuid of this fauna and its african sister form ( Patula walkeri 
Btlr.), is only slightly smaller and nevertheless has an expanse of over 14 cms. It is therefore the largest 
known Noctuid of the ethiopian territory. In the indo-australian regions especially the Phyllodes represent 
the largest Noctuids; only in North, Central and South America they do not achieve more than medium size, 
AA'ith the exception of the gigantic Thysania and Erebus species. 
In colouration the Catocalinae develop considerable brilliance, but this is only visible when the insect 
is in flight, as the bright patches — which are almost exclusively limited to the hindwings — are hidden by 
the forewings and these are adapted to their surroundings. This adaptation is so marvellously carried out 
by nature that, for instance, in the palaearctic Catocala sponsa the forewings closely imitate the lichens 
and mosses on the bark of the oak tree so that even the most experienced eyes cannot discover the insect when 
at rest. In the same way the northern Indian Catocala nivea (Vol. 3, pi. 55 f) exactly imitates the colour of the 
slate rocks, on which it rests. If one examines the undersides of these moths and observes how the fore and 
hindwings with the bright bands extending over both, have an analogous colouration, one might argue that 
it is improbable that the protective uppersides have always been adapted in that way. One can, in fact, 
easily visualise what the appearance of the insect may have been before this adaptation took place and ap¬ 
preciate how it has enabled the Catocala and allied forms to take cover in their surroundings when at rest. 
There is no doubt that the degree of mimicry developed by many of the Catocalinae is very perfect. 
It may be observed here that most of the indo-australian species do not settle, like the related palaearctic kinds, 
on the boles of trees. They almost invariably come to rest on the ground in the forests, where they hide on 
the piles of fallen leaves; in many cases they are simply assimilated in their surroundings. This is frequently 
so complete that it is practically impossible to find them. Anyone who has pursued a Minucia lunaris (Vol. 3, 
pi. 60 e) knows how difficult it is to re-discover it, when after having been disturbed it flies a short distance 
and suddenly settles on the flat ground within range of the eye, but nevertheless it is completely indiscernible. 
In the same Avay with Phyllodes papuana (Vol. 11. pi. 48 b, c) which settles similarly and so exactly is assimil¬ 
ated in its surroundings that it cannot be seen. The forewing is not only precisely the same in its contour 
and colour as the many dead leaves, but the structure and venation of the leaves and the markings of the 
wings are closely alike. Even as in the leaf a decomposing, discoloured patch develops in the centre, where the 
dew collects, so in the wing of the insect an irregular coloured transparent patch is reproduced at the disco- 
cellular, which represents the same position in the moth. This is mimicry that is carried through to the last 
degree of refinement. It is similar in a way to the examples often illustrated in the schools of the evolutionary 
purpose of protective mimicry, as shown by the butterflies of the Genera Kallima, Zaretes etc. 
The Catocalinae are most vulnerable when in flight and their chief enemy is the bat. Most entomo¬ 
logists will, for instance, have observed the pursuit of Mormonia sponsa by bats just after sunset in the gathering 
dusk in the rides of our oak forests. Where this insect is common, the bats pursue them over the crowns of the 
trees and in some districts the paths of the forests are bestrewn with the bright Avings of the insects that have 
been discarded by the marauders. 
The entirely black species of the Genus Nyctipao, that occur over the whole of India, fly only later 
in the night and it is a most remarkable thing that when in flight they issue a strange cracking noise that is 
just like the jarring sound that many small nocturnal birds of prey make Avith their beaks when they are disturbed. 
The delineation in the system of classification of the Catocalinae in relationship to the neighbouring 
subfamilies appears to be very uncertain. In fact many hold that it is not correct because this relationship 
has been primarily established on the basis of the imagines, Avhilst it seems to be contradicted when taking 
the larvae into consideration. The development of the spurs on the central tibiae, which is always being cited 
as one of the deciding characteristics in comparison with other Noctuinae groups, is often too indefinite and 
in fact when it has been jiossible to make an examination of all the Genera, it may be found to be inconsistent. 
In such a case all such Genera would either have to be removed from the Catocalinae, or the others that are 
now classified in the Noctuinae would also have to be rearranged in some new position in the classificatory system. 
Subfamily Catocalinae. 
By M. Gaede. 
1. Genus : Catocala Schrh. 
In regard to the differences of this Genus from Mormonia Him., which is not represented in our terri¬ 
tory, all that is necessary has been said in Vol. III. p. 304. The Genus is only represented by a few species 
in the northern boundary regions and a large part of them are also found in palaearctic territory. 
