ABH: 72.082
BF: 2454
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Erebinae
Taxon: Catocala promissa
Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)
Vernacular: Light Crimson Underwing
Account: A once rare but now increasing species, associated with ancient oak woodland in parts of southern England, a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. At the turn of the century it was very much confined to the New Forest and two large woodlands in south Wiltshire, with occasional records from elsewhere in southern England, which may have resulted from internal dispersal or migration from the continent The most likely confusion species are Red Underwing C. nupta and Dark Crimson Underwing C. sponsa, and best distinguished from this by the shallow ‘W’ shape of the black postmedian cross-band of the hindwing. C. sponsa is larger (a subjective characteristic unless both seen together), and generally has a darker, more uniformly coloured forewing, with fewer patches of white scales near reniform stigma. Larva feeds on Pedunculate Oak and Sessile Oak, over-wintering as an egg.
Wingspan: 50 — 66 mm
Surrey Flight Period: 26 Jun (2025) — 2 Sep (2023)
Foodplant: Quercus sp. (an oak).
Status: Near Threatened (NT)
UK BAP: BAP
WCA:
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Verification Grade: 2 — Care needed to identify 🤔
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/catocala-promissa/
* Based on adult records only.
Records: 56
Individuals: 80
Earliest Year: 1954
Latest Year: 2025