Sweetfern Underwing Moth
Common NameSweetfern Underwing Moth
Scientific NameCatocala palaeogama
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)60
Primary Colorsdark grey, black, orange
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, and areas with host trees.
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Ontario and Quebec south to Florida, and west to Texas and Kansas.
Host Plantshickory (Carya spp.), walnut (Juglans spp.)
Flight PeriodJuly to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the leaves of hickory and walnut trees, pupating in leaf litter. Adults emerge in mid-summer and are active into the fall, typically having one generation per year.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its cryptic forewings and the broad, continuous orange band on the hindwings, which is intersected by a distinct black median band and bordered by a black terminal band.
Description
This moth has dark, mottled grey-brown forewings that provide excellent camouflage, while its hindwings are a striking orange with two prominent black bands.
