UNDERWING MOTHS - Group #1

This is a Locust Underwing. This species is not a "true" underwing moth; no Catocala has four wavy black lines on its hindwings like this moth does. But apart from that, Locust Underwings look very similar to Catocalas (and they are just as beautiful!). 

This is a Betrothed Underwing. I found this individual at my lights on July 9, 2024. I also found one at Cox Arboretum on July 14, 2017. Those are my only two sightings of the species. 

The Bride Underwing. This moth has golden-yellow hindwings, with two large, wavy black bands on 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. This 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. This species has 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. Note the white patches on the lower edge of the wings. 

Another Locust Underwing with more heavily mottled wings than the one above. 

Woody Underwing with its wings closed. This is the only Woody Underwing I have found at my lights. 

Betrothed Underwing with its wings closed. 

I have found a couple of Locust Underwings at my lights in August and early September.