Erebidae: Erebinae

2452 (ABH72.078) Red Underwing Catocala nupta, (Linnaeus, 1767)

KR08874

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey, Sept 2001.
Hemingford Grey, Sept 2001.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, Sept. 2010
Hemingford Grey, Sept. 2010
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Blown from top of Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
Blown from top of Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Blown from top of Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
Blown from top of Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Underside, blown from Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
Underside, blown from Poplar by gales, Great Staughton, June 2012
 Photo © Peter Bissell


General Information

Pupates in a bark crevice or in leaf litter.

Overwinters as Overwinters as an egg.
Both sexes come to light but in small numbers only.
Flies during the day

Forewing length: 33-40mm.
Foodplant(s): Black Poplar (Populus nigra), White Poplar (Populus alba), Aspen (Populus tremula), Crack-willow (Salix fragilis), willows (Salix spp.), poplars (Populus spp.)
Flying: One generation, early August-October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Woodland, scrub, carr, riverbanks and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 92 (34.1%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in October 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 05 July to 26 October

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 16 June to 16 June



Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
With lumps, bumps or horn(s)
Colours:
Grey, brown, black
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5