The Adulatrix
Common NameThe Adulatrix
Scientific NameCatocala adulatrix
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)65
Primary Colorsbrown, white, reddish-brown, blue-green
HabitatWoodlands, forests, areas with oak trees
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe, North Africa, Middle East
Host PlantsOak (Quercus species)
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the leaves of oak trees. Pupation typically occurs in the soil or leaf litter. Adults are nocturnal and emerge during the summer months.
Identification TipsKey features for identification include the complex, mottled brown and white forewing pattern, which provides excellent camouflage against tree bark, and the characteristic blue-green eyespots on the hindwings, which are often visible even when the moth is at rest.
Description
A medium-sized moth with cryptically patterned forewings in shades of brown, white, and reddish-brown, featuring a distinctive blue-green eyespot on each hindwing, partially visible at rest.
