A commonly encountered small oak-feeding Catocala species as a larva. Close to micronympha, but similis is usually a bit browner in ground color, less maculated overall, and with the A5 saddle patch just darkened and subdued (not contrasting). The A5 hump/tubercle in similis generally lacks prominent white and is often somewhat more conical in shape viewed laterally. The head capsule of similis has little to no white chevron on the face near the vertex, compared to micronympha. Body size and coloration of minuta can approach similis, but head capsule of minuta lacking white chevrons and with substantial darkening behind the vertex toward T1 and two prominent dark dots on facial lobes. In at least the northeastern portion of its geographic range, similis is a typical denizen of pine barrens, hilltops and other xeric habitats, and hence the greater frequency of records on Quercus ilicifolia.