Moths of North Carolina

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View PDF	Zygaenidae Members:	Harrisina Members:	64 NC Records

Harrisina americana (Guérin, 1829) - Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth

Taxonomy

Superfamily:
Zygaenoidea

Family:
Zygaenidae

P3 Number:
57a0006

MONA Number:
4624.00

Species Status: The larvae and adults of members of the Zygaenidae contain linamarin and lotaustralin, which are two compounds that can be taken in when the larvae feed on plants or synthesized directly by some species. The compounds undergo enzymatic breakdown to release toxic, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a defense against predators (Hall, 2015). The toxin adults are frequently active during the day, and many are members of mimicry complexes.

Identification

Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)

Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD

Technical Description, Immature Stages: Jones (1909)

Adult Markings: This is a distinctive species due to its color patterning, wing shape and posture. The entire moth is uniformly black except for a contrastingly orange collar. Both the males and females have pectinate antennae, with those of the male being plumose. The forewings are elongated and fringed on the inner margin, and usually held out at an angle when an individual is at rest. The abdomen is expanded towards the tip and has a caudal tuft of scales.

Harrisina americana is often confused with Acoloithus falsarius, but the latter is smaller, has an orange collar that is interrupted with black in the middle, lacks an expanded abdomen tip with a prominent scale tuft, and typically rest with the wings held close to the body. Harrisina americana also resembles Cisseps fulvicollis, but this species has sooty brown forewings and lacks an expanded abdomen tip with a prominent scale tuft. It has orange coloration on the collar like H. americana, but also has additional orange coloration on the back of the head, and often as a thin line along the basal portion of the costa. Ctenucha virginica is another species that is similar in coloration, but is much larger, has broader wings, and has an iridescent blue thorax. It has not yet been observed south of Virginia, but may eventually be found in North Carolina.

Wingspan: 22-24 mm (jones, 1909).

Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.

Immatures and Development: The larvae are well-known because they feed communally on domesticated grapes as well as other hosts. The following life history account is based on Jones (1909) who observed larvae feeding on grapes. Most populations throughout the range produce two generations per year, with the pupae from the second generation overwintering. The adults first emerge around May or June and the females lay clusters of 7-260 yellowish eggs on leaves. The eggs hatch in about 8 days and the larvae for the first three or four instars feed communally -- often positioning themselves side-by-side in a long row. They initially skeletonize both the lower and upper sides of the leaves, but after the fourth instar separate. From there on they either feed singly or in small groups and consume the entire leaf except for the larger veins. The larvae typically take 5-7 weeks to complete development, then pupate in a flat, oblong to oval-shaped cocoon that is composed of tough, white, cottony, parchment-like material. They usually pupate in fallen leaves or debris on the ground below the grape vines. The adults emerge after 9-12 days.

The later instars are boldly marked with white and black longitudinal stripes along the sides and alternating sulphur-yellow and black bands on the dorsum of the body. The early instars typically have the black bands represented as a series of black spots.

Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution: Harrisina americana is found throughout much of the eastern and southwestern US and adjoining portions of Canada (Manitoba; Ontario; Quebec; New Brunswick). In the US the range extends from New Hampshire and Vermont southward to southern Florida, and westward to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Populations tend to be much more scattered west of the western limits of the Eastern Deciduous Forest. This species occurs statewide in North Carolina.

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.


Flight Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates: High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft. Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft. Piedmont (Pd) Coastal Plain (CP) Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: The adults have been observed from February through November in the southernmost populations and mostly from April through September farther north. Local populations appear to have from one to three generations per year, with two generations being the norm throughout most of the range. As of 2023, our records span from early April through early August. Populations in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain appear to produce two broods per year, with only one brood produced in the Blue Ridge.

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Local populations are commonly found in hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forests, and well as in sunny habitats such as river banks, forest margins, roadways, fields, utility corridors and fencerows. They can be a minor pest in vineyards and home gardens with grapes.

Larval Host Plants: The larvae primarily feed on members of the Vitaceae (Wagner, 2005; Heppner, 2007; Robinson et al., 2008; Beadle & Leckie, 2012), including Muscadine (Muscadinia rotundifolia), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca) and other native grapes, and cultivated grapes (V. vinifera). Other questionable hosts that have been reported and are likely very rarely used (if at all) include English Ivy (Hedera helix) and Redbud (Cercis canadensis). In North Carolina, we have records for larvae on Virginia Creeper and Muscadine. - View

Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights and are often observed during the day resting on vegetation or nectaring on flowers. The boldly marked larvae are easy to spots on grape leaves.

Wikipedia

Status in North Carolina

Natural Heritage Program Status:

Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S5

State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.

Comments: This species is widespread and common in North Carolina and appears to be secure.

Photo Gallery for Harrisina americana - Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth

45 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2025-06-02 Brunswick Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2025-05-01 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-10-02 Wilson Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-09-03 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Mark Basinger on 2024-08-08 Mitchell Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-07-29 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Dawn-Michelle Oliver on 2024-05-25 Caswell Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Dawn-Michelle Oliver on 2024-05-25 Caswell Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Terrell Tucker on 2024-05-12 Moore Co. Comment:		Recorded by: R. Newman on 2024-05-09 Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Hunter Phillips on 2023-08-05 Onslow Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-17 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: dunn.stephen.m@gmail.com on 2023-06-08 Orange Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Travis McLain on 2023-05-12 Cabarrus Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2022-08-22 Chatham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2022-05-30 Orange Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2022-05-27 New Hanover Co. Comment:		Recorded by: David George, Becky Watkins on 2022-05-24 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2021-07-22 Graham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: tom ward on 2021-07-03 Buncombe Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman on 2021-04-09 Carteret Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Morgan Freese on 2020-08-20 New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-08-08 Durham Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2019-08-11 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-08-08 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-08-07 Madison Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-21 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2019-05-19 Durham Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-17 Guilford Co. Comment:		Recorded by: Gary Maness on 2019-05-08 Guilford Co. Comment: