Tearful Underwing
Catocala lacrymosa Guenee, 1852
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Eastern United States west as far as southeast Nebraska and central Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Absent/rare north of the Great Lakes.
Larval Hostplant(s): Hickory (Carya) and Walnut (Juglans).
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single summer brood, July into September.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Medium size, 2 1/3 – 3 1/4 Inches.
Found at:
Overwintering: As eggs on tree bark
Identification: Pattern variable but note white crescents on inner margin of forewing. Hindwing is black with prominently barred white fringe, but black near anal angle (3)
Similar Species: The FWs are darker than similar Underwings.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
Literature Cited: (3) Covell, C. V. Jr. 1984 A Field Guide to the Moths of Eastern North America. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Co.; Boston. 496 pp.
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net

