Bug FAQMeske's Underwing Moth
Catocala meskei · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Meske's Underwing
Meske's underwing moth belongs to the family Erebidae and is known as Catocala meskei. Its wingspan measures about 65 to 75 mm and adults fly from July through September. The caterpillars feed on poplar and willow (Populus and Salix) trees.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Catocala meskei, called Meske's underwing, is a moth in the family Erebidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The species has a wingspan of roughly 65 to 75 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on species of poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix).
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adult moths are on the wing from July to September, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active during the summer months, typically July through September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers much of the United States and Canada, matching the distribution described above.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 28 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Nebraska, Michigan, Montana, New York, Illinois, South Dakota, Colorado, Wisconsin.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When can I see adult Meske's underwing moths?
Adults are on the wing from July to September, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catocala_meskei
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.