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Virginia Ctenucha Moth

Virginia ctenucha moths are nectar feeding moths. Food plants include goldenrod. Adults have slate black wings with a hairy, metallic blue thorax. Their orange heads contrast with their dark bodies. They lay eggs on the underside of leaves. The caterpillars hatch and feed on grasses and other plants such as irises. Caterpillars have black bodies with tufts of hair. Hair can be a light cream color to reflect the sun in the summer or a black to absorb heat in the cool spring or fall. Virginia ctenucha moth larvae can be found throughout the year. They pupate in cocoons and emerge as adults in May.