Subject: Moth
Geographic location of the bug: Northern Indiana
Date: 08/14/2018
Time: 05:43 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: This guy has been on our garage door all day. I can’t seem to find him online or in our books.
How you want your letter signed: Bobbi
Dear Bobbi,
We believe this is an Underwing Moth in the genus Catocala, so named because they often have brightly colored underwings that are hidden when the moth is at rest, but when it flies, it flashes a color that causes a predator to search for a more brightly colored prey, but when the Underwing lands on a tree, it perfectly blends in with the bark.
Dear Mr. Marlos,
Thank you for your help! I wish I could have seen him fly away last night. I would have loved to see his colors.
If he would have been on a tree, there’s no way we could have seen him.
Thank you again. What a great site you have!!