Magdalen Underwing
Catocala illecta Walker, [1858]
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Found from Ontario south to South Carolina, then west to eastern Texas and Nebraska.
Larval Hostplant(s): Honey Locust (Gleditsia).
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single mid-summer brood peaking in July.
Habitat: Prairies, meadows and woodlands containing or adjacent to host plants.
Avg. Wingspan: Medium size, 2 1/3 – 2 3/4 Inches.
Found at: Fontenelle Forest, Homestead NM, Indian Cave SP.
Overwintering: As eggs on bark or woody growth.
Identification: FW evenly pale gray with fine black single lines. HW light yellow with widely separated black bands, the inner band irregular and ending abruptly before the inner margin. (2)
Similar Species: Ciinton’s Underwing (C. clintoni) is smaller and has prominent FW basal dashes.
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
