[1] It is found throughout the Great Plains of North America, from southern Saskatchewan and Alberta south and west to Texas, Arizona and California.

Adults are on wing from August to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Populus and Salix species.

The latter is often treated as distinct species, leaving C. hermia monotypic.

Catocala hermia verecunda, recorded from Colorado, Montana and Arizona, was formerly considered a subspecies, but is now a synonym of Catocala hermia hermia.