Little Wife Underwing
Common NameLittle Wife Underwing
Scientific NameCatocala connubialis
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, orange, black
HabitatDeciduous woodlands, forests, areas with hickory and walnut trees
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas
Host PlantsCarya (hickory), Juglans (walnut)
Flight PeriodJuly to September
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are cryptic, typically feeding on the leaves of hickory and walnut trees. They pupate in a cocoon, often found in leaf litter or soil, before emerging as nocturnal adults.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the mottled brown and grey forewings, which are relatively plain compared to some other underwings, and the distinctive orange hindwings with a broad black median band and a thinner black subterminal band.
Description
This moth features mottled brown and grey forewings that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark, while its hindwings are a vibrant orange with a prominent black median band and a narrower black subterminal band.
