The Obscure Underwing has a wingspan of 2.50 to 2.75 inches. The forewing is medium gray with jagged black antemedial and postmedial lines. The subterminal line is pale gray and indistinct. The terminal line is a row of black dots. The hindwing is black with a white fringe. The only similar species is C. residua which does not have a white fringe. The caterpillar is mottled gray and brown with a black sub-dorsal stripe. It grows to 2.5 inches.
The frequency of occurrence of this moth is not known. It was photographed in late August 2015 coming to lights at Fontenelle Forest. Adults fly from July to September.
The larvae eat the leaves of Shagbark Hickory and Walnut. There is one generation a year.
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