VIRGINIA CTENUCHA, YELLOW-COLLARED SCAPE MOTH, &
GRAPELEAF SKELETONIZER
Yellow-collared Scape Moth on its favorite flower, goldenrod.
Yellow-collared Scape Moth on bright red chrysanthemums.
Virginia Ctenucha moth at Cedar Bog. Notice the large metallic blue thorax. These moths are often found near wetlands. In addition to Cedar Bog, I have also seen them at several of the Beaver Creek Wetland parks, including Fairborn Marsh, Siebenthaler Fen, Beavercreek Wildlife Area, and Koogler Reserve.
This is a Yellow-collared Scape Moth on blue mistflowers. Many people confuse these moths with Virginia Ctenuchas; however, note that Yellow-collared Scape Moths do not have the metallic blue thorax.
Grapeleaf Skeletonizer moth on a daisy. This species is similar to the Yellow-collared Scape Moth (above), but it usually holds its wings spread out, and it has a fuzzy tuft of scales at the tip of the abdomen. This individual was photographed June 21, 2015, at Cox Arboretum.
Another Grapeleaf Skeletonizer moth, found on August 6, 2017, on the prairie at Sugarcreek MetroPark.
Virginia Ctenucha moths fly in late May and June. This one is showing off his metallic blue abdomen.
This Grapeleaf Skeletonizer came to my moth lights. I have seen this species from late May through August.
Yellow-collared Scape Moths fly from May through November, but they are particularly abundant in the fall. My latest record is November 18th. Virginia Ctenuchas do not fly that late in the year. Any individuals that you see in August or later are likely to be Yellow-collared Scape Moths rather than Ctenuchas.