Scarlet Underwing
Catocala coccinata Grote, 1872
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Found from the eastern seaboard west to the Dakotas and central Texas.
Larval Hostplant(s): Various Oaks (Quercus)
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single brood peaking in July and August.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Small to medium sized Underwing, 2 1/4 – 2 3/4 Inches.
Found at: Indian Cave State Park, Fontenelle Forest, Niobrara Valley Preserve.
Overwintering: As eggs on woody stems.
Identification: FW light gray and mottled with diffuse anal and basal dashes. HW bright red/scarlet ground color with checkered white fringe with occasional red highlights at apex (5)
Similar Species: None. The scarlet HW sets this species apart.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
Literature Cited: (5) Bill Oehlke’s Moth website
🔗Links: Moth Photographers Group, BugGuide.net
