Three-staff Underwing
Catocala amestris Strecker, 1874
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Found from southern Michigan west to South Dakota and south to east Texas. It is also found in the Carolinas south into Florida.
Larval Hostplant(s): Leadplant, Indigo Bush (Amorpha).
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single brood in July and August.
Habitat: Prairies, riparian areas and nearby associated woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Smaller Underwing, 2 2/3 – 2 Inches.
Found at: Box Elder WMA, Indian Cave State Park
Overwintering: As eggs on woody stems.
Identification: FW light brown to gray, am and pm lines clearly double at least halfway across the FW. Reniform with double black ring. HW ground color orange-yellow.
Similar Species: Abbreviated Underwing (C. abbreviatella) lacks the doubled FW lines.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net
