Obscure Underwing
Catocala obscura Strecker, 1873
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Eastern United States, New York south to northern Mississippi and west to Iowa and eastern Nebraska.
Larval Hostplant(s): Hickory (Carya) and Walnut (Juglans)
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single brood flying from mid summer into the fall.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Medium Size. 2 1/3 – 2 7/8 Inches.
Found at: Indian Cave State Park, Fontenelle Forest
Overwintering: As eggs on the hostplant.
Identification: FW uniformly colored a dull gray largely devoid of conspicuous markings, white st. band with teeth darker on outer side. HW fringe whitish, lightly checkered, white to gray at anal angle.
Similar Species: Residua Underwing (C. residua) has a gray to brown HW fringes.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net




