# White Underwing (*Catocala relicta*) The White Underwing is a beautiful moth with soft, white wings that hide bright colors underneath. It loves to fly at night and can be found resting on tree trunks during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![White Underwing](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Catocala_relicta.01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dumi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catocala_relicta.01.jpg) ## Appearance The White Underwing is a large moth with intricately patterned gray, black, and white forewings that resemble tree bark or lichen. Its stunning hindwings are bright, clean white with a bold black band and border, providing a striking contrast to its muted upper wings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Erebidae - **Genus:** Catocala ## Interesting facts - Adults sometimes drink tree sap or juice from rotting fruit for a sweet treat! - Its caterpillar looks just like a twig, perfectly camouflaged on tree branches! - This moth is a champion faker, pretending to be invisible on tree bark all day! - When startled, it flashes its bright white underwings like a surprise signal! ## Special abilities - **Stealth Disguise:** White Underwing can perfectly mimic tree bark with its patterned forewings, helping them hide from sharp-eyed predators during the day. - **Flash Distraction:** White Underwing has brilliant white hindwings they can suddenly reveal, startling predators and allowing them a quick escape. - **Nocturnal Navigator:** White Underwing can navigate through the night using its sensitive antennae to find mates and food sources in the darkness. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-80 mm - **Size:** 30-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip nectar and tree sap, while caterpillars munch on tree leaves! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat tree leaves, while adults primarily sip liquids like nectar and sap. - **Primary Foods:** Birch leaves, Aspen leaves, Willow leaves, Nectar, Tree sap, Rotting fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Paper Birch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/paper-birch) (*Betula papyrifera*) — larvae feed on its leaves - **Eats:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — caterpillars consume its foliage - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — bats hunt adult moths - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — birds prey on caterpillars ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be fragile. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify White 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. ### What is White Underwing's wingspan? 60-80 mm ### How big is White Underwing? 30-40 mm ### How long does White Underwing live? 14-28 days ### How fast can White Underwing fly? 20 km/h ### What does White Underwing eat? Adults sip nectar and tree sap, while caterpillars munch on tree leaves! ### Where is White Underwing usually found? Forests ### How does White Underwing hunt? Foraging ## 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: [White Underwing: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-underwing)