Bug FAQPenitent Underwing
Catocala piatrix · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: The Penitent Underwing, The Penitent
Adults have a wingspan of about 70 to 80 mm. They are active from July through November, depending on where they live.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The front wings are dark brown-gray with a lighter slanted band that runs from the middle of the wing toward the front edge near the base. The hind wings are orange-yellow with two black rings and some dark hairs at the base.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan measures roughly 70 to 80 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Adults are on the wing from July to November, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Moths appear from July through November, and their larvae feed on various hardwood trees.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Flight season runs from midsummer into late autumn, depending on region.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The penitent underwing is native to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 42 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Ohio, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois.
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 expect to see penitent underwing moths?
They are typically seen from July through November, though exact timing varies by location.
Source: Wikipedia
What trees do the larvae feed on?
The caterpillars eat leaves of ash, butternut, hickory, pecan, persimmon and walnut.
Source: Wikipedia
How large are adult penitent underwings?
Adults have a wingspan of about 70 to 80 mm.
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 acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catocala_piatrix
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.