Bug FAQSimilar Underwing
Catocala similis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
The similar underwing (Catocala similis) is a moth in the family Erebidae with a wingspan of about 35 to 45 mm. It occurs across much of North America, from eastern Canada and the northeastern US down to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota, and its caterpillars feed on pecan and post oak. Adults fly from May to July and there is likely one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Catocala similis belongs to the moth family Erebidae.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan ranges from about 35 to 45 millimeters.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It lives across North America from Ontario and Quebec down to Florida, and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on pecan (Carya illinoinensis) and post oak (Quercus stellata).
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
There is probably one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from May to July, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to North America, ranging from eastern Canada and the northeastern United States south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 27 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Oklahoma, North Carolina.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult similar underwing moths active?
Adults are on the wing from May through July, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
What do the caterpillars of Catocala similis eat?
The larvae feed on pecan trees and post oak.
Source: Wikipedia
How many generations does Catocala similis have each year?
There is probably one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the similar underwing found?
It occurs from Ontario and Quebec south to Florida and west to Texas, Oklahoma and Minnesota in North America.
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_similis
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.