Bug FAQPraeclara Underwing Moth
Catocala praeclara · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Praeclara Underwing
The Praeclara Underwing Moth has a wingspan of about 38 to 50 mm. It lives across North America from Nova Scotia west to southeastern Alberta and south to Florida and Kansas. Adults are on the wing in August and September, producing one generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan ranges from 38 to 50 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed on Amelanchier, various Crataegus species (including C. calpodendron), and Photinia species (including P. prunifolia and P. melanocarpa).
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults fly from August to September, with one generation per year, timing depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active in August and September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Native to the same North American region described for its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 32 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Maine, New York, Wisconsin.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are Praeclara Underwing Moths active?
Adults are on the wing in August and September, producing a single generation each year.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catocala_praeclara
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.