Agrippina Underwing
Common NameAgrippina Underwing
Scientific NameCatocala agrippina
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)70
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black, purple, blue, white
HabitatDeciduous forests, oak woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern North America (from southern Ontario and Quebec south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas)
Host PlantsQuercus spp. (oaks)
Flight PeriodLate July to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs overwinter, hatching in spring. Larvae feed on oak leaves, pupating in summer. Adults emerge in late summer and are active at night.
Identification TipsLook for its large size, the intricate pattern of dark grey and black lines on the forewings, and the uniformly dark purplish-blue hindwings with a distinct white fringe, which lacks the black bands common in many other Catocala species.
Description
This large moth is characterized by its highly cryptic, mottled grey and brown forewings that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark. Its hindwings, typically hidden at rest, are a striking dark purplish-blue with a clean white fringe.
