#8788 retecta

Yellow-gray Underwing

Catocala retecta Grote, 1872

Family: Erebidae

Status: Resident

Range: Eastern United States north of the Gulf States west as far as east Oklahoma, Texas and 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: Medium size. 2 1/3 – 3 Inches.

Found at: Indian Cave State Park

Overwintering: As an egg on the hostplant.

Identification: Light gray FW with a series of dark dashes reaching from the body to near the FW apex. The subreniform spot is ringed with brown, then black and brown again.  HW fringe is white, slightly barred. (5).

Similar Species: Hulst’s Underwing (C. luctuosa) has more yellowish or reddish shading, with the subterminal area sometimes primarily light brown.

Notes: Identifying features illustrated.

Literature Cited: 5. Bill Oehlke’s North American Catocala

🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net

Yellow-gray Underwing, Richardson Co., NE, August 18, 2017, Mark Brogie
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