Similar Underwing moth
Catocala similis, Family Erebidae. I found this high up on my inside garage wall in the early afternoon. Was able to capture it in a yogurt container. Mary freed it outside.
Thanks to Bob Patterson (developer, Moth Photographers Group website) for the ID. Bob writes, "I flipped the photo and sharpened it to permit a clearer view of markings. I also sent the photo to Jim Vargo who concurs with my thinking that is it probably Catocala similis. There is a great deal of variation found in this and other Catocala species, and this is a form we have not seen previously."
You can see Bob's flipped and sharpened version of this photo here.
According to Bugguide, the genus name Catocala comes from the Greek "kato," which means below or behind and "kalos," which means beautiful, describing the colorful hindwings of these moths (not visible in this shot). The forewings are normally held together over the back at rest, hiding the hindwings beneath -- hence, the hindwings are the (bold and beautiful) underwings that this genus is known for.
Similar Underwing moth
Catocala similis, Family Erebidae. I found this high up on my inside garage wall in the early afternoon. Was able to capture it in a yogurt container. Mary freed it outside.
Thanks to Bob Patterson (developer, Moth Photographers Group website) for the ID. Bob writes, "I flipped the photo and sharpened it to permit a clearer view of markings. I also sent the photo to Jim Vargo who concurs with my thinking that is it probably Catocala similis. There is a great deal of variation found in this and other Catocala species, and this is a form we have not seen previously."
You can see Bob's flipped and sharpened version of this photo here.
According to Bugguide, the genus name Catocala comes from the Greek "kato," which means below or behind and "kalos," which means beautiful, describing the colorful hindwings of these moths (not visible in this shot). The forewings are normally held together over the back at rest, hiding the hindwings beneath -- hence, the hindwings are the (bold and beautiful) underwings that this genus is known for.