Yellow-banded Underwing - Catocala cerogama

 This post will detail an insect which I didn't find in Richmond, but I found near Charlottesville, so close enough. The insect is... (drumroll)... The Yellow-banded Underwing! 

Now, where did I find it? Well, I didn't find the moth. I found the caterpillar at Humpback Rocks, in Shenandoah National Park. I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't been peeling away bark looking for beetles. 

This lovely species of moth, the Yellow-banded Underwing (Catocala cerogama),  is one of my personal favorites, and it's probably easy to guess why. This species opens it's wings when startled, revealing the pattern of red and black.  When the wings are opened, they reveal a somewhat unique pattern, of black banded with yellow (hence the name). 

A moth caterpillar, of course, has to eat. What does this one eat? American Basswood (Tilia americana) leaves! This is where I found my caterpillar - on a basswood trunk. What an amazing display/defense! 

Now, let's suppose you want to see one yourself. What do you do? Plant American Basswood and flowers? No, you plant Ameican Basswood, and then make a concoction of stale beer and sugar. You'd paint this on a basswood trunk (or another trunk for that matter), and wait. Look closely!  


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