Bug FAQRobinson's Underwing
Catocala robinsoni · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Robinson's Underwing Moth
Robinson's underwing is a moth in the Erebidae family. It lives across much of the eastern United States and southern Canada, from Ontario and New Hampshire down to Florida and west to Oklahoma and Arkansas. The adult flies from midsummer into autumn, depending on where it is found.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The species is called Catocala robinsonii, commonly known as Robinson's underwing, and belongs to the family Erebidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan measures roughly 70 to 80 millimetres.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Caterpillars feed on shagbark hickory, walnut and white oak trees.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
There is likely one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from July through October, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The moth is native to the same North American region described for its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 24 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee.
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
When can I see adult Robinson's underwing moths?
Adults are active from July to October, depending on where you are.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the larvae of Robinson's underwing eat?
The caterpillars feed on shagbark hickory, walnut and white oak.
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_robinsonii
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.