description |
A small species with a variable mottled color pattern. The wings vary from being uniformly dark brown to highly mottled in color, with black, brown, and gray patterning, typically with two dark V-shaped bands; some individuals have a more uniform wing color and lack the bands. The frons and clypeus are a pale yellowish-brown, either unbanded and therefore somewhat uniform in color or having a median white transverse band. The pronotum and vertex are a pale brown, sometimes with a reddish hue. The underside of the body and the legs are also a light brown color. Adults are 4.5-5.0 mm long. (O'Brien, 1971) |
comments |
C. pumila very closely resembles C. carolina in both coloration and pattern. In order to best distinguish the two species, the size and face pattern are important. C. pumila is [typically] noticeably smaller than C. carolina: see a nice comparison DLT-cQuSjQ-cQu8To' target='_blank'>here. The face of C. pumila can vary from being a light uniform yellowish-brown with no markings to having light brown markings with a faint, broad pale band across the middle of the face (UDEL). It is therefore necessary to photograph the face to make an identification possible among individuals that may represent one of these species.
This species is also similar to C. lunata, which too has a similar wing color and pattern. However, the frons color and pattern is quite different between the two species. In pumila, the frons is very pale, either being a somewhat uniform color throughout or being light yellowish-brown with a pale median transverse band. The frons of lunata is not uniform and the brown is much darker. |
Species Photo Gallery for Catonia pumila Dwarf Catonia |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest | | Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat | | Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light |
| Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light | | Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light . Found on Sheet in AM. |
| Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light. Stayed on Sheet all night | | Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Black Light. Stayed on Sheet all night |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge | | Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn, Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: mixed hardwood, open forest near lake edge | | Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond | | Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond |
| Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger, Brian Bockhahn Rockingham Co. Comment: grassy area near mixed hardwood forest and a pond | | Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light |
| Photo by: Paul Scharf Warren Co. Comment: Attracted to Light |