Bug FAQNutmeg Underwing
Catocala atocala · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The forewings measure about 33 to 37 mm long (1.3 to 1.5 in). Adults fly during July and August.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Forewing length ranges from 33 to 37 mm (about 1.3 to 1.5 in).
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed on nutmeg hickory (Carya myristiciformis). In laboratory settings they will also eat butternut (Juglans cinerea) and black walnut (Juglans nigra).
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from July through August.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is endemic to the United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 8 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, Missouri.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What do Nutmeg Underwing caterpillars eat?
They feed on nutmeg hickory in the wild and can also eat butternut and black walnut in the lab.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the Nutmeg Underwing found?
It is native to the United States, especially the lower Mississippi River area of Louisiana and Mississippi, with records extending to southern Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.
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_atocala
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-29 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-29.