The underwings arrive

August 28, 2014  •  Leave a Comment

Orange and black underwingOrange and black underwing

Underwings, so named as a group because their hind wings are a complete counter to the patterning of their front wings, are coming into the back porch lights in a steady stream. Sometimes I'll spot them during my daytime walks, since the small-to-large moths often hang out on tree bark. If you're at just the right angle, you can find them, despite the fact that their front wings are designed to afford the lepidopterans superb camouflage. If the moth detects the intruder, it will often open those wings, revealing the sometimes gaudy underwings. The idea, I gather, is to startle the intruder, which gives the member of the Catocala clan a precious second or two to beat a hasty retreat. Of course, some of the underwings have black hind wings, perhaps to signal that there's either nothing there or that the wings have already been eaten... so don't bother me. I tend not to pay attention to underwing ministrations and tap their wings gently, in an attempt to trigger the startle strategy and grant me a good picture. I'm still trying to ID this one, and, as is too often the case, I think I'm going to have to send it off for an expert opinion.


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