Ctenucha virginica

Esper, 1794

Virginia Ctenucha, Virginia Ctenucha Moth

Ctenucha virginica is a tiger moth in the Erebidae, notable for its -mimicking appearance. The exhibits striking metallic blue-green body coloration with yellow-orange and black to olive-brown wings. It is to eastern North America with documented westward range expansion into the Canadian Rockies. Both larvae and are active feeders, with caterpillars consuming grasses, irises, and sedges while adults visit flowers for nectar.

Ctenucha virginica by (c) DaMongMan, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Ctenucha virginica by (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC-BY license.Ctenucha virginica male by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ctenucha virginica: //təˈnuːkə vərˈdʒɪnɪkə//

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Identification

Distinguished from similar -mimicking by combination of metallic blue-green body and yellow-orange . Cisseps fulvicollis (yellow-collared scape moth) has yellow collar rather than yellow-orange head. Harrisina americana (grapeleaf skeletonizer) has different body shape and color pattern. Clearwing moths (Sesiidae) have transparent wings and more slender wasp-like build.

Images

Appearance

Medium-sized with wingspan 40–50 mm. Wings black to olive-brown. Body metallic blue-green. yellow-orange with feathery . Caterpillar 20–25 mm with multiple tufts of white and yellow hair.

Distribution

Eastern North America from Newfoundland south to Virginia. Westward expansion documented: now found in all Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and reaches Canadian Rockies.

Seasonality

occurs May–August. active during day, particularly on flowers.

Diet

Larvae feed on grasses, irises, and sedges. drink nectar from flowers including goldenrod.

Life Cycle

Complete . Caterpillar stage 20–25 mm with white and yellow hair tufts. and May–August.

Behavior

activity pattern unusual for . visit flowers for nectar. Considered a mimic, potentially gaining protection from through resemblance to stinging insects.

Ecological Role

nectar feeding may contribute to pollination. Larval herbivory on grasses, irises, and sedges. mimicry suggests aposematic or protective function in .

Human Relevance

Occasionally documented in gardens. Subject of entomological study due to mimicry and .

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Sources and further reading