Woody Underwing

Description:

Catocala grynea, the Woody Underwing, is a moth in the Erebidae family. The forewings are light gray, with brownish markings. The postmedial line is broken. On the inside of the forewing, near the center, is a pale area bordered on all sides but the top, in which it nearly tapers to the thorax. The hindwings are a vibrant orange with black bands. The innermost black band appears to form a "U" shape.

Habitat:

Found in an open area near a deciduous/coniferous forest with a pond and some wetlands nearby.

Notes:

Lifer! The second photo was taken the day after I spotted this individual and is the same individual. I gently caught the moth in a cup and placed it in the refrigerator for further observation the next morning. The moth flew away unharmed and while in flight, one could only see the orange and black banding, flashing very frequently, as in an old-fashioned movie. The sixth photo is a crop of the first photo and shows a green midge (unknown member of the family Chironomidae) which flew on to the right forewing.