Underwing
Guides
Allotria elonympha
False Underwing
A medium-sized moth in the family Erebidae, known for its cryptic forewings and brightly patterned hindwings. The species is found in eastern North America and is most active during late summer and early autumn. Adults rest with forewings covering the hindwings, concealing the colorful underwing pattern until disturbed.
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 cerogama
Yellow-banded Underwing
Catocala cerogama, the yellow-banded underwing, is a North American moth in the family Erebidae. Adults are recognized by their brownish-gray forewings and distinctive even, deep yellow bands on the hindwings. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. Adults fly from July through October, and larvae feed on American basswood.
Catocala dejecta
Dejected Underwing
Catocala dejecta, the Dejected Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found in eastern and central North America, from Massachusetts and Connecticut south to Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma, and north to southern Ontario. Adults have a wingspan of 56–73 mm and are active from June to October, with timing varying by location. The larvae feed on hickories (Carya glabra, Carya ovata) and oaks (Quercus species).
Catocala jessica
Jessica underwing
Catocala jessica, commonly known as the Jessica underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Henry Edwards in 1877, this species is found in western and central North America. The species is named with the specific epithet "jessica" and is one of many underwing moths in the genus Catocala, which are characterized by their cryptically patterned forewings and brightly colored hindwings.
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 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 minuta
Little Underwing
Catocala minuta, commonly known as the little underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae. The species was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864. It is one of approximately 250 species in the genus Catocala, which are characterized by dull forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings. The larvae feed on species of honey locust (Gleditsia).
Catocala pretiosa
Precious Underwing
Catocala pretiosa, the Precious Underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae first described by Joseph Albert Lintner in 1876. It was long treated as a synonym of Catocala crataegi but has been revalidated as a distinct species. The nominate subspecies is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. Adults are active from May to June with likely one generation per year.
Catocala pretiosa texarkana
Catocala pretiosa texarkana is a subspecies of underwing moth in the family Erebidae, described by Brower in 1976. As a member of the genus Catocala, it shares the characteristic trait of cryptic, bark-mimicking forewings that conceal brightly patterned hindwings. The subspecific epithet "texarkana" suggests an association with the Texarkana region spanning Texas and Arkansas. Like other underwing moths, it is nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
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 subnata
Youthful Underwing
Catocala subnata, commonly known as the youthful underwing, is a large underwing moth in the family Erebidae. First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864, this species is characterized by its cryptic forewings that conceal brightly colored hindwings, a defensive trait shared with other members of the genus Catocala. The species has a broad distribution across eastern and central North America, with adults active during mid to late summer. Larvae feed on specific host trees in the walnut family.
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 violenta
Catocala violenta is a nocturnal moth in the family Erebidae, part of the diverse underwing moth genus Catocala. Adults fly during mid-summer with a single annual generation. The species occupies a restricted geographic range in the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico, where larvae feed specifically on Gambel's oak.
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.
Melipotis prolata
Melipotis prolata is a species of moth in the family Erebidae, first described by Francis Walker in 1858. It is native to North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 8606. The species belongs to a genus of nocturnal moths commonly known as underwings or related forms, though specific ecological details for this particular species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Zale clandestina
Clandestine Zale Moth
Zale clandestina is a moth species in the family Erebidae, described by James T. Troubridge in 2020. It belongs to the genus Zale, a group of nocturnal moths commonly known as "zale moths" or "underwing moths" due to their characteristic wing patterns. The species epithet "clandestina" suggests a secretive or hidden nature, possibly reflecting its cryptic appearance or elusive habits. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light sources.