Startle-defense
Guides
Catocala amatrix
Sweetheart Underwing
Catocala amatrix, commonly known as the Sweetheart Underwing, is a large moth in the family Erebidae. Adults have a wingspan of 75–95 mm. The forewings are cryptically colored in gray-brown tones that provide camouflage against tree bark when the moth is at rest. When disturbed, the moth reveals strikingly colorful hindwings—typically orange-red with black bands—that serve as a startle defense against predators. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, with adults active from August to October. Larvae feed on several species of Populus (poplars and cottonwoods) and Salix (willows).
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 concumbens
Pink Underwing, Sleepy Underwing
Catocala concumbens, commonly known as the pink underwing or sleepy underwing, is a medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is distinguished by its cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings, a characteristic defensive trait of the genus Catocala. The moth occurs in eastern North America, extending westward across the Prairie Provinces to eastern Alberta. Adults are active in August, with larvae feeding on Populus and Salix species.
Catocala connubialis
Connubial Underwing
Catocala connubialis, the connubial underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is a medium-sized underwing moth with a wingspan of 37–47 mm. The species is distributed across eastern and central North America, from Ontario and the Maritime provinces south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Adults are active from June to September, with likely one generation per year.
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 grotiana
Grote's Underwing Moth, Grote's Underwing
Catocala grotiana is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by James S. Bailey in 1879. The species is characterized by its cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings, a defensive trait common to the genus Catocala. It occurs in the western United States, with documented records from Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Washington, and areas north and east of California. Adults are active in late summer, with larvae feeding on Populus and Salix species.
Catocala hermia
Hermia Underwing, Hermia's Underwing Moth
Catocala hermia is an underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Henry Edwards in 1880. The species is endemic to the Great Plains of North America, ranging from southern Canada through the western United States. Adults are active in late summer, and larvae feed on poplar and willow species. Like other underwing moths, it possesses cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings used in startle displays.
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 judith
Judith's Underwing
Catocala judith, or Judith's Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Strecker in 1874. It belongs to the genus Catocala, commonly known as underwing moths, which are characterized by dull forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The species is found in eastern North America, ranging from southern Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to Oklahoma and Iowa. Like other underwings, it employs a startle defense by flashing its concealed hindwings when disturbed.
Catocala junctura
joined underwing, Stretch's underwing
Catocala junctura is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, distributed across temperate North America from the eastern United States through the Great Plains to the Southwest and Pacific Coast. Adults are active from June to September and possess the characteristic underwing morphology: cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The species is associated with riparian habitats where its larval host plants, willows and cottonwoods, grow abundantly.
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 relicta
White Underwing, Relict
Catocala relicta, commonly known as the White Underwing or Relict, is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Francis Walker in 1858, this species is notable for its cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. Adults are active from July to September across a broad North American range spanning southern Canada to the southwestern United States. The larvae feed on multiple host plants including birch, hickory, poplar, oak, and willow species.
Catocala sappho
Sappho Underwing
Catocala sappho is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Strecker in 1874. It is a medium-sized underwing moth with a wingspan of 62–75 mm. Adults are active from May to July and again from September to October in highland areas. The species is found in the southeastern and central United States, ranging from Virginia and Tennessee south to Florida and west to Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, and Illinois. Larvae feed on Carya species (hickories and pecans).
Catocala unijuga
once-married underwing, once-married underwing moth
Catocala unijuga is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1858. Adults are characterized by cryptic forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings, a trait shared across the genus Catocala. The species is distributed across northern and western North America, with larvae feeding on poplars and willows. Adults fly from July to September in a single annual generation.
Drasteria
Drasteria is a genus of owlet moths in the family Erebidae. Species in this genus are known for their concealed brightly-colored hindwings, which they flash as a startle defense against predators. The genus includes multiple species distributed across North America and other regions, with some taxonomic revisions having occurred in recent decades.
Drasteria divergens
Drasteria divergens is a moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Behr in 1870. The species has a wingspan of approximately 44 mm. Adults are active from March through August in California, with a broader distribution spanning from California to Colorado and northward to British Columbia. This species belongs to a genus known for underwing moths that typically display cryptic forewings and brightly colored hindwings used in startle defense.
Drasteria edwardsii
A moth in the family Erebidae found along the Pacific coast of North America from Washington through Oregon to California. Adults are active in late summer and fall, with bright coloration on the hindwings that is concealed at rest and flashed as a startle defense. The species is named in honor of Henry Edwards, a prominent 19th-century entomologist.
Drasteria mirifica
Wonderful Graphic
Drasteria mirifica is a small owlet moth in the family Erebidae, native to western North America. It is known for its distinctive wing pattern and behavior of flashing brightly colored hindwings when disturbed. The species was first described by Henry Edwards in 1878.
Drasteria stretchii
Drasteria stretchii is a moth in the family Erebidae, originally described from western North America by Behr in 1870. The species occurs in dry, rocky canyon habitats at low to middle elevations across the western United States. Like other members of the genus Drasteria, it is an owlet moth (subfamily Erebinae) with cryptic forewings and typically brighter, concealed hindwings used in startle defense.
Euscirrhopterus
purslane moth
Euscirrhopterus is a genus of moths in the family Noctuidae, subfamily Agaristinae. The genus contains six described species distributed in North America, with the best-known being Euscirrhopterus gloveri, commonly called the purslane moth. Larvae of E. gloveri feed on plants in the portulacaceous family, particularly Portulaca species. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. Some species exhibit a startle defense behavior, flashing brightly colored hindwings when disturbed.