Catocala stretchi = junctura
kah-TOCK-uh-lahmSTRETCH-eye
Behr, 1870

Catocala stretchi, California, by Felix Sperling.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke.
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: Noctuidae Group: Noctuinina Subfamily: Catocalinae Genus: Catocala, Schrank, 1802

DISTRIBUTION: Stretch's Underwing, Catocala stretchi = junctura (wingspan: 75-80mm) flies in California, probably to Arizona. There is also a record for Cook County, Illinois. Beutenm ller described the form "sierrae" in 1907, and he also described the subspecies margherita in 1918. The subspecies margherita flies in Arizona. Image courtesy of Bruce Walsh.

C. stretchi, C. margherita and the form "sierrae" are now all considered synonyms of Catocala junctura. For a better range distribution, visit Catocala junctura.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Catocala junctura flies as a single generation with moths on the wing from July to September.

The Catocala stretchi = junctura caterpillar shows a preference for poplar and willow.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose from pupae formed under leaf litter.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Catocala stretchi females emit an airbourne pheromone and males use their antennae to track the scent plume.

Kern River Preserve, South Fork Kern River, 2600'. Kern County, CA.
September 28, 2002, at uv/mv light. Kelly Richers, collector.

EGGS, CATERPILLARS, COCOONS, AND PUPAE: Eggs are deposited on bush bark in the fall and hatch the following spring. Mature larvae Image courtesy of

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive, although some species seem very host specific. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Populus fremonti....... Salix

Cottonwood Willow