#8829 junctura

Joined Underwing

Catocala junctura Walker, [1858]

Family: Erebidae

Status: Resident statewide.

Range: Found from the Ohio River drainage west to the west Coast. Absent from the East and Gulf Coast states.

Larval Hostplant(s): Poplar (Populus) and Willow (Salix).

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Broods/Flight Times: A single summer brood, June into October.

Habitat: Prairies, meadows and woodlands containing or adjacent to host plants.

Avg. Wingspan: Medium to large Underwing, 2 2/3 – 3 1/3 Inches

Found at: Fontenelle Forest, Gilbert-Baker WMA, Indian Cave State Park, Rowe Sanctuary.

Overwintering: As eggs on tree bark.

Identification: FW generally brownish gray and nondescript. HW orange-pink with inner black band narrow, turning in sharply, not reaching the inner margin with the fringe being white with black barring. (5)

Similar Species: In the Once Married Underwing (C. unijuga) the narrow black band on the HW meets the inner margin. Most specimens do not have a small separate spot at the lower end as do Meske’s (C. meskei), and Orion (C. orion) Underwings.

Notes: Identifying features illustrated.

Literature Cited: (5) Bill Oehlke’s moth website.

🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net

Joined Underwing, Sarpy Co., NE, 8 September 2015, Barbara Padelford
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