UNDERWING MOTHS
This is a Locust Underwing. This species is not a "true" underwing moth; no Catocala has four wavy black lines on its hindwings. But apart from that, Locust Underwings look very similar to Catocalas (and they are just as beautiful!).
This is a Betrothed Underwing. It also has yellow-orange bands on the hindwings. I found this individual at Cox Arboretum on July 14, 2017.
The Bride Underwing. This moth has golden-yellow hindwings, with two large black bands crossing the golden background.
Bride Underwing, with its wings closed. I have found several Bride Underwings from July through September.
This is a close-up of the Bride Underwing's legs. Why are the legs important? There is a nearly identical species, the Youthful Underwing, which has cylindrical hind tibiae densely covered with spines. A Bride Underwing has flattened hind tibiae, sparsely covered with spines. I have examined the legs on several individuals in my backyard, and they all look like Bride Underwings to me.
Penitent Underwing, with its wings closed. I have found a few Penitent Underwings at my moth lights from late August through early October.
Woody Underwing, photographed July 21, 2019. Yet another species with yellow-orange bands on the hindwings.
Penitent Underwing. This species is very similar to the Bride Underwing above, but Penitent Underwings usually have an open, elongated subreniform spot with a "tail", and a white bar above the subreniform spot, along with a brownish (rather than gray) head.
Another Bride Underwing. This is by far the most frequently-encountered Catocala at my moth lights.
Locust Underwing with its wings closed. I have found a couple of individuals at my lights in August and early September.
Another Locust Underwing with more heavily mottled wings than the one above.