Penitent Underwing
Catocala piatrix Grote, 1864
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Eastern and southern United States.
Larval Hostplant(s): Ash (Fraxinus), Hickory (Carya) and Walnut (Juglans)
NENHP Ranking: Not listed.
Broods/Flight Times: A single extended mid-late summer brood
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Medium to large. 2 2/3 – 3 1/3 Inches
Found at: Indian Cave State Park, Fontenelle Forest.
Overwintering: As an egg on woody bark or stems of the hostplant.
Identification: FW with an oblique whitish bar extending from st. line through subreniform spot. Rounded “tooth” on basal side of am. line. HW yellow-orange.
Similar Species: Betrothed Underwing (C. innubens) has deep orange HW and Bride Underwing (C. neogama) which has the orange band on HW much narrower.
Notes: Identifying wing features illustrated.
Literature Cited:
