# Epione Underwing (*catocala epione*) The Epione Underwing (Catocala epione) is a captivating member of the Erebidae family, renowned for its masterful dual-defense system. Like other underwing moths, it relies on a stark contrast between its drab, camouflaged forewings and its vividly colored hindwings to survive in eastern North American woodlands. During the day, it rests flat against tree trunks, perfectly blending in with the rough bark. If a predator approaches too closely, the moth suddenly reveals its bright hindwings in a flash of color, startling the attacker and allowing a quick escape. This species plays an important role in deciduous forest ecosystems, both as an herbivorous caterpillar feeding on canopy foliage and as a crucial food source for bats and insectivorous birds. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Typically found in temperate deciduous forests and mixed eastern woodlands with an abundance of hickory, pecan, or oak trees. ![Epione Underwing](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/8740220/medium.jpg) Photo: Paul Bedell, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/8740220) ## Appearance This moderately sized moth features a wingspan of roughly 5 to 7 centimeters. Its forewings are highly cryptic, displaying intricate mottled patterns of brown, gray, and black that expertly mimic the texture and coloring of tree bark. In striking contrast, the hidden hindwings possess bold, broad bands of black and dark yellow or orange, typically fringed with a lighter outer edge. When resting, the forewings are folded completely flat over the abdomen, entirely concealing the vibrant colors beneath. The body is robust and covered in fine hairs, characteristic of erebid moths, alongside slender, thread-like antennae. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Catocala ## Interesting facts - Instead of spinning a traditional silk cocoon on a branch, their caterpillars descend to pupate in the leaf litter on the forest floor, using debris for camouflage. - Like many underwings, they possess specialized 'ears' on their thorax that help them dive out of the way when they hear a bat approaching. - Many moth enthusiasts use 'sugaring'-painting a fermented mixture of rotting bananas, brown sugar, and beer onto trees-to attract these elusive moths at night. - The genus name Catocala translates to 'below beautiful' in Greek, perfectly describing the hidden beauty of their brightly colored hindwings. ## Special abilities - **Bark Crypsis:** Perfectly mimics the complex patterns of tree bark with its forewings to remain invisible to diurnal predators. - **Startle Display:** Flashes its brightly banded hindwings when disturbed to confuse or temporarily blind attackers, facilitating an escape. - **Ultrasonic Hearing:** Possesses specialized tympanal organs on its thorax capable of detecting the high-frequency echolocation calls of hunting bats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3-4 cm - **Wingspan:** 5-7 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.003 kg - **Lifespan:** 1 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 50-250 - **Incubation:** 180-250 days ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars feed extensively on the foliage of host trees, while adult moths use their proboscis to sip fermenting sap and rotting fruit juices. - **Age differences:** Larvae are entirely folivorous, consuming massive amounts of leaves, whereas adults only consume liquid nutrients like tree sap and nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Hickory leaves, Oak leaves, Tree sap, Fermenting fruit juices - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Host plant:** [Shagbark Hickory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shagbark-hickory) (*Carya ovata*) — Serves as the primary food source for the caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [Big Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/big-brown-bat) (*Eptesicus fuscus*) — Hunts the adult moths at night using echolocation. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Preys upon both caterpillars and resting adult moths during the day. ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Epione Underwing? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Epione Underwing? 3-4 cm ### What is Epione Underwing's wingspan? 5-7 cm ### How much does Epione Underwing weigh? 0.001-0.003 kg ### How long does Epione Underwing live? 1 years ### How fast can Epione Underwing move? 15 km/h ### What does Epione Underwing eat? Caterpillars feed extensively on the foliage of host trees, while adult moths use their proboscis to sip fermenting sap and rotting fruit juices. ### Where is Epione Underwing usually found? Typically found in temperate deciduous forests and mixed eastern woodlands with an abundance of hickory, pecan, or oak trees. ## Where to spot - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Epione Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/epione-underwing)