| Virginia Ctenucha | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Arctiidae |
| Genus: | Ctenucha |
| Species: | C. virginica |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenucha virginica Esper, 1794 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica) is a moth of the Arctiidae family. It is endemic to eastern North America, but has expanded its range westward. It inhabits wet meadows and open spaces with bushes from North Carolina to Canada east of the Rocky Mountains.
The wingspan ranges from 30–50 millimetres (1.2–2.0 in). 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. It feeds mostly on grasses and undergoes metamorphosis in May–August. Adults feed primarily on nectar in daylight.
The larvae feed on various grasses, such as Iris and Sedge species.