Cautethia noctuiformis (Walker, 1856) (Fig 4. C)

General distribution. Endemic to Hispaniola.

Distribution in the DR. Widespread throughout the country (Fig 1. F).

Habitat. Elevation 0– 700 m. The insect is sometimes very abundant. It avoids mountainous areas and deep forests, its ecological preference being clearly xerophilous in low-elevation semi-desert biotopes.

Host plants. Its larval stages are not known, but it is likely that the host plant is of the family Rubiaceae .

Material examined.

Hodecek: Piky Lora National Park: 19°24'47"N 70°56'26"W, 242 m, 7/2021, 1 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Jaragua National Park: 17°47'32"N 71°27'38"W, 123 m, 7/2021, 1 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Paraiso, Barahona: 17°59'57"N 71°09'42"W, 99 m, 7/2021, 1 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Jaragua National Park: 17°47'32"N 71°27'38"W, 123 m, 6/2023, 13 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; NP El Choco y Las Cuevas de Cabarete: 19°44'29"N 70°25'32"W, 40 m, 6/2023, 2 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Paraiso, Barahona: 17°59'56"N 71°09'44"W, 99 m, 6/2023, 1 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Pedernales province: 18°06'24"N 71°37'12"W, 700 m, 6/2023, 2 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Punta Cana: 18°36'25"N 68°21'05"W, 4 m, 6/2023, 2 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Punta Cana, Macao: 18°43'50"N 68°29'51"W, 9 m, 6/2023, 46 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Jaragua National Park: 17°47'32"N 71°27'38"W, 123 m, 5/2024, 2 ♂ 1 ♀, leg. J. Hodecek; La Romana caves: 18°22'22"N 68°48'48"W, 5 m, 5/2024, 3 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Pedernales province: 18°06'24"N 71°37'12"W, 700 m, 5/2024, 1 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Punta Cana, Macao: 18°43'50"N 68°29'51"W, 9 m, 5/2024, 10 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek; Punta Cana, quarry: 18°36'28"N 68°21'02"W, 3 m, 5/2024, 7 ♂, leg. J. Hodecek.

Haxaire: Pedernales, trail from Pedernales to Los Arroyos pk 6: 18°07'28"N 71°43'33"W, 367 m, 12/08/2007, 8 ♂, leg. Jean Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Pedernales, route Oviedo to Pedernales pk 20: 17°56'10"N 71°34'34"W, 159 m, 13/08/2007, 1 ♂, leg. Jean Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Azua, trail from Padre Las Casas to Guyabal pk 2: 18°45'13"N 70°55'05"W, 586 m, 14/08/2007, 13 ♂, leg. Jean Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Pedernales, route Oviedo to Pedernales, trail Jaragua National Park: 17°48'46"N 71°26'32"W, 90 m, 21/02/2017, 11 ♂, leg. J. Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Pedernales, Route Cabo Rojo to El Aceitillar, Sierra de Bahoruco: 18°00'35"N 71°38'48"W, 108 m, 23/02/2017, 8 ♂, leg. J. Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Pedernales, Route Cabo Rojo to El Aceitillar, Sierra de Bahoruco: 18°07'02"N 71°36'58"W, 896 m, 24/02/2017, 15 ♂, leg. J. Haxaire & Odile Paquit; Monte Cristi, road northeast of Botoncillo pk 4: 19°46'13"N 71°24'03"W, 125 m, 1/03/2017, 55 ♂ 18 ♀, leg. J. Haxaire & Odile Paquit.