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
