Little Nymph Underwing

Little Nymph Underwing

Catocala micronympha
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Erebidae)

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The Little Nymph Underwing has a wingspan of about 1.75 inches. The forewing is gray with a greenish tint. There is often a blackish bar curving from the midpoint of the costa through the reniform spot to the apex. The whitish zigzagged subterminal line widens at the costa. Dark individuals have blackish-brown shading on the forewing as far as the subterminal line. The hindwing is golden yellow with a black marginal band that is broken toward the inner margin. The caterpillar is brown with a dark saddle on abdominal segments 5 & 6. It may have whitish diamond-shaped patches dorsally.

 

The frequency of occurrence of the Little Nymph Underwing in this area is not known. It has been photographed twice, once in late June and again in early July 2015 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. Adults fly from June to September. They are attracted to lights.

 

The larvae eat the leaves of Oak trees. This species is also known as the Little Bride.

 

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