| Grapeleaf skeletonizer | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Zygaenidae |
| Genus: | Harrisina |
| Species: | H. americana |
| Binomial name | |
| Harrisina americana Guerin-Meneville 1844 |
|
The Grapeleaf Skeletonizer, Harrisina americana is a moth in the family Zygaenidae. It is widespread in the eastern half of the United States, and commonly noticed defoliating grapes, especially of the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). The western grapeleaf skeletonizer, Harrisina brillians is very similar to and slightly larger than H. americana, but their distributions are different. Members of this family all produce hydrogen cyanide, a potent antipredator toxin.
Contents |
There are several generations per year in the south, and one in the north of its range.
Eggs are lemon yellow, shaped like a capsule, slightly over 0.5 mm in length. They are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves, and hatch in about a week.
Larvae are stout, with ten bright yellow bands or lines of dots, and eleven black bands alternating. They have hair-like setae that, if brushed against, will give a rash that lasts several days. They feed in groups that become progressively smaller as the larvae age. They constantly live on the underside of the leaves, and frequently line up side-by-side. Development from hatch to pupation takes about 40 days. The maximum length of the larvae is 15 mm.
The pupa is brown, and the stage lasts about 2 weeks. It is the overwintering stage, among leaves at the base of the plant.
Adult moths are uniformly black except for a yellowish or orange collar. The body and wings are long and narrow, and the abdomen is usually held curled upwards, with a tuft of hairs at the tip. Length of the moth is 8 to 12 mm, while the wing expanse is 22 to 28 mm. Adults are active visiting flowers during the day as well as at night. They live only a few days.
