Youthful Underwing
Common NameYouthful Underwing
Scientific NameCatocala subnata
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyErebinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgrey, brown, black, orange, white
HabitatDeciduous forests, woodlands, forest edges
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from southern Canada south to Florida and west to Texas
Host Plantshickory, walnut
Flight PeriodJuly to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on the leaves of hickory and walnut trees, pupating in leaf litter. Adults are nocturnal and typically emerge in late summer, with the species overwintering in the egg stage.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the mottled grey-brown forewings and, when revealed, the vibrant orange hindwings with a distinct broad black median band and a separate, narrower black terminal band, often fringed with white.
Description
This large moth features cryptically patterned grey and brown forewings that provide excellent camouflage against tree bark, contrasting sharply with its bright orange hindwings marked by a broad black median band and a narrower black terminal band.
