Little Underwing
Catocala minuta Edwards, 1864
Family: Erebidae
Status: Resident
Range: Found from the eastern seaboard west into Colorado.
Larval Hostplant(s): Locust trees (Gleditsia).
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Broods/Flight Times: A single brood flying through the summer.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands.
Avg. Wingspan: Small Underwing, 1 1/3 – 1 3/4 Inches.
Found at: Fontenelle Forest, Homestead NM, Indian Cave SP.
Overwintering: As eggs on woody stems.
Identification: FW with a whitish patch near the apex. On the HW the outer black band is unbroken while the inner band forms a complete loop. (5)
Similar Species: The Little Nymph Underwing (C. micronympha) is larger, the inner black band on the HW is sharply angled at the apex.
Notes: Identifying features illustrated.
Literature Cited: (5) Bill Oehlke’s moth website
