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Ctenucha virginica, the Virginia ctenucha, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper in 1794.

Virginia ctenucha
Adult
Larva
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Superfamily:	Noctuoidea
Family:	Erebidae
Subfamily:	Arctiinae
Genus:	Ctenucha
Species:	C. virginica
Binomial name
Ctenucha virginica Esper, 1794
Synonyms
Sphinx virginica Ctenucha latreillana

Morphology

The wingspan ranges from 40–50 millimetres (1.6–2.0 in).[1] The wing color varies from black to olive brown. The body is a metallic blue green. The head is yellow orange, with feathery antennae. The caterpillar (about 20–25 mm) has multiple tufts of white and yellow hair.[2] It undergoes metamorphosis in May–August.

Range

It is endemic to eastern North America, from Newfoundland south to Virginia. According to the University of Alberta, there has been a westward expansion in the last 60 years as it has reached the Canadian Rockies and is now found in all Canadian provinces.[3]

Food plants

Larvae feed on a variety of host plants including various grasses, irises, and sedges. Adults drink nectar from flowers including goldenrod.[1]

Images

• 
  Adult, Ottawa, Ontario
• 
  Caterpillar
• 
  Detail
• 
  Museum specimens

Similar species

• Cisseps fulvicollis – yellow-collared scape moth
• Harrisina americana – grapeleaf skeletonizer

References

External links

• Lotts, Kelly & Naberhaus, Thomas (2017). "Virginia Ctenucha Ctenucha virginica (Esper, 1794)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved November 10, 2020.

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