Sad Underwing
Catocala maestosa Hulst, 1884
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Eastern United States west as far as southeast Nebraska and central Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
Larval Hostplant(s): Hickory (Carya) and Walnut (Juglans).
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single summer brood, July to October.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Large size, 3 – 3 7/8 Inches.
Found at: Indian Cave State Park
Overwintering: As eggs on hostplant
Identification: FW with a strongly marked arch from costa above the reniform to just below the apex at the outer margin. HW black with white fringe and extensive gray basal hairs (2)
Similar Species: The Widow Underwing (C. vidua) is smaller with a more extensively marked FW. On the HW the white fringe is broader.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
Literature Cited: (2) Sargent, T. D. 1976 Legion of the Night. The Underwing Moths, Univ. Mass. Press; Amherst; 222 pp.
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net
