Evaluation of population attributes and life history traits of Catocala (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by means of multivariate analysis

Canonical analysis did not reveal any significant correlations among six morphological-ecological variables and four population attributes based on collections of Catocala. Discriminant analysis of five hindwing groups resulted in four significant functions which accounted for 49-85% of the variation. The most important variables for discriminating between hindwing groups of Catocala were larval host, forewing size, adult flight period, coefficient of fluctuation and adult resting behavior. However, discriminant analysis incorrectly classified hindwing groups in 22% of the cases. Half of these involved members of chromatic hindwing groups that were incorrectly assigned to the achromatic group. Inability to correctly classify cryptically similar species supports the hypothesis that anomaly creates a degree of uncertainty in associating hindwing patterns with life history and morphological traits.