InsectNet forum

Underwing (Catocala) moths are some of the BEST known
and attractive moths to arrive at light or bait. The genus
is present in the Nearctic regions of the world and numbers
some 230 species throughout --- with at least 110 species
present here in North America.

They are certainly favorite finds of many enthusiasts who both
capture and photograph these "fair damsels of a summers night".
Species vary considerably in their occurance; from common to
occasional on through to seldom seen or rare. Their forewings
are always cryptically (bark) colored whilst their hindwings or
"underwings" are most often brightly colored in varying shades
of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows. A select few species are
unique for their (black) hindwings.

There was a thread (on our old forum) dedicated to this topic
in the past and since then there has not been one resurrected.
So, I will start this new thread with a series of Catocala pictures
taken of specimens/species (from my collection). Some are of
past photo's shown however, I have added some additional new
ones --- and will continue to add them as photo time allows.

So as not to "overwhelm" viewers with long series of species I
will try to more-so show diversity within the genus which I have
encountered. Everything shown is self captured....

Joined Underwing (Catocala junctura)


Bride Underwing (Catocala neogama)


Sweetheart Underwing (Catocala amatrix)


Beloved or Wife Underwing (Catocala ilia)


Sappho Underwing (Catocala sappho)


Clouded Underwing (Catocala nebulosa)


Tearful Underwing (Catocala lacrymosa)


Darling Underwing (Catocala cara)


Angus Underwing (Catocala angusi)


Widow Underwing (Catocala vidua)


Herodias or Gerhard's Underwing (Catocala herodias)


Brou's Underwing (Catocala atocala)


Three "black" underwing species....

Dejected Underwing (Catocala dejecta)
Epione Underwing (Catocala epione)
Tearful Underwing (Catocala lacrymosa-form)


Many more to find or get pictures of but, will
produce them as time allows.... Enjoy !

Beautiful specimens, and all so nicely prepared!

Some excellent work there Trehopr. Wonderful specimens.

I agree with the above comments. Love 'em.

Some palaearctic species

Catocala oberthueri

Catocala nivea

Catocala martyrum

Catocala lesbia

Catocala afghana

Catocala mesopotamica

All great looking moths, and super setting jobs.
I have an eclectic success rate with spreading these smaller leps.

Very nice selection hewi !

One of our large salmon colored species.

The Mother Underwing (Catocala parta)

A seldom encountered species in my general region.

The Penitent Underwing (Catocala piatrix)

One of the MOST frequently encountered and indeed
"variable" species of the Midwest region.

It has several different forms....

Oldwife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama)
Typical (form)


A "variation" featuring more (white) on the forewings
along with blackish edging on the forewings which
continues along the trailing edge.


Oldwife Underwing (Catocala palaeogama)
form -- Annida >seldom encountered....

Another of our large reddish species which
is occasionally encountered....

The Once-married Underwing (Catocala unijuga)
76mm. (wingtip to wingtip)

Been doing some "catch-up" work lately (spreading)
some of my Catocala captures which I ran short of
time to finish. A few here -- and a few there from
different outings.

This board is one of 3 with (recently) finished specimens.
All told I've worked up 34 over these last 4 weeks.

Will continue to post additional examples of other (different)
species which I have encountered !

A seldom encountered "black" species in my region.
VERY tough to find and my ONLY specimen !

Notable for the rather (plain) slate-grey appearance
of its forewings. A mid-late August species....

Robinson's Underwing (Catocala robinsonii)

Trehopr, you mean that C robinsonii is hard to find. But surely you have other more common black catocala, right?

We get a few species, some so common as to be a nuisance; I get a dozen of a couple species each night in the UV trap.

Hello Chuck,
Thank you for posting a picture of some of your captures.

C. robinsonii just happens to be one of MY least encountered "black" species within my general region. The example I posted is the BEST example I have found although, I have encountered it on a couple of other occasions. However, those specimens were not worth keeping !

Since you live in the far northeast where the wooded regions are quite a bit more considerable (than Illinois) then you likely encounter species which I may not see here or of which are more local.

I didn't mean to imply that it was a rare species (in general). Rarity/scarcity is better applied to such species as C. marmorata, C. sappho, or C. atocala; all of which tend to be quite localized or strays (at times).

Yes, some species can be quite common at times and in different places. I can discern from your photograph that you have (at least) 3 species which appear to be common.

The unit tray at the top has 3 Catocala residua (in a row on the far left). The two smaller gray specimens on the far right look to be Catocala judith. Residua has a "squiggly" white band located on the forewing towards the outer edges.

In the lower unit tray you have (at least) another 3 C. residua along with a third species (two specimens) in the middle column --- which are Catocala epione. They are respectively the very center specimen and the one (right below it). C. epione also happens to be the very first named catocala species (here). Dru Drury (a British entomologist) described it in 1773. It is commonly called the Epione Underwing.

I cannot tell too much more from the remaining specimens either due to lighting or some measure of wear. But, it is good to see that you do make an effort at capturing them.

I will post some additional species soon....

Thank you for your interest in these and the article.