Sweet Underwing
Common NameSweet Underwing
Scientific NameCatocala eutychea
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, orange, black
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, riparian areas
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada to Florida and west to Texas
Host Plantshickory (Carya spp.), pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs overwinter and hatch in spring. Larvae feed on the leaves of hickory and pecan trees, pupating in leaf litter before adults emerge in late spring to early summer.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the mottled grey forewings and the distinctive orange hindwings with a broad, relatively straight black median band and a black terminal band, often giving the orange area a 'sweetheart' shape.
Description
This medium-sized underwing moth has mottled grey and brown forewings that provide excellent camouflage, contrasting sharply with its bright orange hindwings marked by a broad black median band and a black terminal band.
