Married Underwing
Catocala nuptialis Walker, [1858]
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Wisconsin south through Illinois west through the Dakotas and Oklahoma.
Larval Hostplant(s): Leadplant (Amorpha canescens).
NENHP Ranking: Tier 1, S2
Broods/Flight Times: A single brood peaking in July.
Habitat: Prairies and meadows with Leadplant.
Avg. Wingspan: Smaller Underwing, 1 1/2 – 2 Inches.
Found at: Box Elder WMA, Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Overwintering: As an egg on woody stems.
Identification: FW nearly faintly marked with the exception of the prominent black “teardrop shaped” reniform spot. HW ground color yellow, the black outer marginal band unbroken but indented near the anal angle.
Similar Species: Whitney’s (C. whitneyi) and Abbreviated (C. abbreviatella) Underwings have more heavily marked forewings.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
