SWEETHEART, ULTRONIA, CLOUDED, and once-married UNDERWING

Underwings are large moths (think sphinx-sized, but with a slightly different shape). In this photo, I am holding a Sweetheart Underwing in my hand to illustrate its size. I found this moth (same individual as above) at Cox Arboretum. I have seen several Sweetheart Underwings there, from late August through early October. 

This Ultronia Underwing is showing off his red hindwings, in the temporary enclosure of a clear tupperware container. (This moth, like all of my moths, was released unharmed afterward.) With underwing moths, it is usually important to get a glimpse of their hindwings. I have learned the hard way that underwing moths are very skittish around humans and will quickly bolt if startled. A few minutes in a clear tupperware container is usually sufficient to get decent photos for an ID. 

This was the first Sweetheart Underwing I ever found. He was resting on the roof of the gazebo at Cox Arboretum. We had heavy rain earlier that morning, and I assume this guy had taken shelter from the rain. I only got a few photos before he flashed his bright red hindwings at me and took off. 

This is an Ultronia Underwing, one of our most common underwing moths. They have bright red bands on their hindwings, but Ultronias are significantly smaller than Sweetheart Underwings. Also, note the difference in their wing patterns when their wings are folded. 

This is another Ultronia Moth that I briefly captured. I have found a few Ultronia Underwings at my UV lights, in late July and early August.  

Many Underwing moths have brightly colored bands on their hindwings. These moths flash their bright hindwings to startle predators (and photographers!). This is a Sweetheart Underwing, showing off its reddish-pink bands. 

This is a Once-married Underwing, photographed at Oak Openings near Toledo, Ohio, on August 6, 2018. This species has red hindwing bands. 

This is a Clouded Underwing. Note the dark patches on either side of its head. I photographed this moth at my lights on September 2, 2020. 

This is the same individual as above, with its wings spread.