Erebinae

This subfamily, of Erebidae moth, is particularly famous for the underwing moths (Catocala), which use cryptic camouflage and startling flashes of color as defenses. They are mostly medium to large moths, with some small species. The forewings are usually mottled, bark-like, or leaf-like for camouflage. While the hindwings are often brightly colored (red, orange, yellow, or blue with black bands), hidden at rest and revealed suddenly when disturbed (“flash coloration”). Stout-bodied, strong fliers, often with broad wings, at rest are flattened against tree bark or other surfaces for concealment. The adults often feed on tree sap, rotting fruit, nectar, or other plant fluids. Some tropical genera include fruit-piercing moths, which use strong proboscises to pierce fruit skins. The caterpillar usually feed on woody plants, especially trees and shrubs; many are polyphagous (eat a wide variety of hosts).