#8788.1 luctuosa

Hulst’s Underwing

Catocala luctuosa Hulst, 1884

Family: Erebidae

Status: Resident

Range: Eastern United States north of the Gulf States west as far as southeast Nebraska.

Larval Hostplant(s): Walnut (Juglans) and Hickory (Carya)

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Broods/Flight Times: A single summer brood.

Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.

Avg. Wingspan: 2 1/3 – 3 Inches

Found at: Indian Cave State Park

Overwintering: As an egg on the hostplant.

Identification: FW very similar in pattern to Yellow-gray Underwing (C. retecta) but often with a pink to purple hue with the subterminal area sometimes primarily light brown. HW fringe often dirty yellowish white.

Similar Species: Very similar in pattern to the Yellow-gray Underwing (C. retecta) but possesses a more yellowish or reddish shading, with the subterminal area sometimes primarily light brown. (6)

Notes: This species is sometimes listed as a subspecies of the Yellow-gray Underwing (C. retecta). Identifying features illustrated.

Literature Cited: 6. Forbes, W. T. M. Lepidoptera of New York and Neighboring States. Part III, Noctuidae. Memoir 329, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station of the New York State College of Agriculture, Ithaca, New York.

🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group,

%d bloggers like this: