Catocala sp.

This is a large underwing moth. Of the 250 known species in this genus, almost half of them can be found in North America. Members of the Catocala genus are characterized by brightly colored, banded hind wings. When the adult moth is disturbed, it flashes its hind wings to confuse and scare away a potential predator such as a bird. The moth is active at night and readily flies to lights. Caterpillars in this genus typically prefer woody plants as hosts for larval development.

Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Species: Catocala sp.

Photograph: © 2014 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 14 August 2014
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45^o43'41" N 111^o08'11" N)