Catocala
Guides
Catocala alabamae
Alabama Underwing, Titan Underwing
Catocala alabamae, commonly known as the Alabama Underwing or Titan Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species is notable for its distinctive underwing pattern typical of the genus Catocala, where dull forewings conceal brightly colored hindwings. It occurs primarily in the southeastern and central United States, with adults active during spring and summer months. The species has been documented feeding on several host plants in the rose family as larvae.
Catocala andromache
Andromache Underwing
Catocala andromache, the Andromache Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It belongs to the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths, which are characterized by their cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings. The species is found in the southwestern United States, specifically from southern California to Arizona. Like other underwings, it exhibits the genus's namesake trait of concealing its vibrant hindwings beneath dull forewings at rest.
Catocala antinympha
sweetfern underwing moth, sweetfern underwing
Catocala antinympha, the sweetfern underwing moth, is a North American underwing moth in the family Erebidae. It is distinguished by its cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a trait shared with other members of the genus Catocala. The species has a single generation per year and is closely associated with sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina), its sole known larval host plant. Its range spans northeastern North America from Quebec and Ontario to the mid-Atlantic states.
Catocala badia coelebs
The Old Maid Underwing
Catocala badia coelebs is a subspecies of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, commonly known as The Old Maid Underwing. Like other members of the genus Catocala, it is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, which are exposed when the moth is disturbed. The subspecies was described by Grote in 1874 and is known from northeastern North America.
Catocala californiensis
California Underwing
Catocala californiensis is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae, endemic to southern California. Adults fly from June to July, with likely one generation per year. The larvae are specialized feeders on Quercus turbinella (scrub oak).
Catocala clintonii
Clinton's Underwing
Catocala clintonii, commonly known as Clinton's Underwing, is a species of underwing moth in the family Erebidae. It belongs to a genus renowned for its striking coloration concealed beneath cryptic forewings. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, from Canada south to Florida and west to Texas and Wisconsin. Like other underwings, it exhibits the characteristic resting posture with forewings folded together, hiding the brightly patterned hindwings until disturbed.
Catocala desdemona
Desdemona underwing
Catocala desdemona, the Desdemona underwing, is a medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1882. This species was formerly treated as a subspecies of Catocala delilah but is now recognized as distinct. It is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a trait shared with other members of the genus Catocala. The species has a southwestern North American distribution extending from the United States into Central America.
Catocala faustina cleopatra
Catocala faustina cleopatra is a subspecies of underwing moth in the genus Catocala, family Erebidae. Like other underwings, it possesses cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, which are revealed when the moth is disturbed. The subspecies was described by Strecker in 1874. Underwing moths are notable for their distinctive defensive display behavior and are popular among lepidopterists.
Catocala herodias herodias
Herodias Underwing
Catocala herodias herodias is a subspecies of underwing moth in the family Erebidae. The genus Catocala, meaning "beautiful below," comprises over 250 species known for their cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. When at rest, the forewings provide camouflage against tree bark; when disturbed, the moth reveals vivid hindwing patterns of orange, red, black, white, or blue that startle predators. This subspecies is part of the North American underwing fauna, with adults typically active during summer months. Like other Catocala, they are primarily nocturnal and often associated with wooded habitats.
Catocala ilia zoe
Ilia Underwing
Catocala ilia zoe is a subspecies of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, native to western North America. It is one of several subspecies of Catocala ilia, a widespread North American underwing moth known for its cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings. The subspecies was described by Behr in 1874. Like other underwings, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Catocala ilia-umbrosa
Ilia Underwing, Ilia Underwing Moth
Catocala ilia-umbrosa is a large underwing moth in the genus Catocala, family Erebidae. Like other underwing moths, it conceals brightly patterned hindwings beneath cryptic forewings at rest. The species has been documented at moth-lighting events in Colorado, including at Bear Creek Nature Center in July 2018. Adults are attracted to ultraviolet lights.
Catocala illecta
Magdalen Underwing
Catocala illecta, commonly known as the Magdalen Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a trait typical of underwing moths in the genus Catocala. The larvae feed on specific host plants including leadplant, honey locust, and black locust. Adults are active during late spring and early summer, with a single generation per year.
Catocala lincolnana
Lincoln underwing
Catocala lincolnana, the Lincoln underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae described by Auburn Edmund Brower in 1976. It belongs to the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths due to their brightly patterned hindwings concealed beneath cryptic forewings. Adults have a wingspan of 40–50 mm and are active from May to June. The species has one generation per year.
Catocala micronympha
Little Nymph Underwing, Little Bride Underwing
Catocala micronympha is a medium-sized underwing moth in the family Erebidae. The species is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a defensive trait common to the genus Catocala. It occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from spring through late summer. The larval stage feeds exclusively on oak species.
Catocala myristica
Myristica Underwing
Catocala myristica is a species of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, described by Kons and Borth in 2015. Like other members of the genus Catocala, it possesses cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, which are revealed when the moth is disturbed. The species is part of a diverse genus containing over 250 species worldwide, with approximately half occurring in North America.
Catocala obscura-residua
Obscure Underwing
Catocala obscura-residua is a species of underwing moth in the genus Catocala, family Erebidae. Like other underwing moths, it exhibits the characteristic resting posture where dull forewings conceal brightly colored hindwings. The genus Catocala contains over 250 species, with approximately half occurring in North America. These moths are nocturnal and are typically attracted to light sources, though they often remain on the periphery of light stations rather than landing directly on sheets.
Catocala retecta-luctuosa
Retecta Underwing, Luctuosa Underwing
Catocala retecta-luctuosa is a species of underwing moth in the genus Catocala, family Erebidae. Like other underwing moths, it is characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The species is part of a diverse North American radiation of Catocala moths, many of which are challenging to distinguish without close examination. Its specific epithet reflects historical taxonomic treatment as a complex or related forms.
Catocala serena
Serene Underwing
Catocala serena, the serene underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in eastern North America from southern Ontario and New England south to Tennessee, and west to Illinois and eastern Wisconsin. Adults are active from July to September with one generation per year. The larvae feed on shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and black walnut (Juglans nigra).
Catocala texanae
Texan Underwing
Catocala texanae, the Texan Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae described by George Hazen French in 1902. It is endemic to Texas, with adults active from May to June. Like other underwing moths, it likely exhibits the characteristic resting posture with cryptic forewings concealing brightly patterned hindwings.
Catocala ulalume
Ulalume Underwing
Catocala ulalume, the Ulalume Underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Herman Strecker in 1878. It is one of approximately 250 species in the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths for their habit of concealing brightly patterned hindwings beneath cryptic forewings when at rest. The species is distributed across the southeastern and south-central United States, with adults active during summer months and larvae specializing on hickory host plants.