Bees and butterflies weren’t the only insects enjoying the brief hour of sunshine as this moth was busy collecting nectar too. Virginia Ctenucha is the largest and most broad-winged of wasp moths in North America and the day-flying moth is very common in Wisconsin.
Moth Collecting Nectar
The daytime flight habits of this insect may cause some to think it is a butterfly, but feathery antenna and folded back tent-like shape of the wings tell you it is a moth. The Virginia Ctenucha moth is one of the largest moths in a group called “wasp moths”. Despite its name, this species is more commonly found in the northeastern United States and southern Canada than in Virginia, which represents the southern boundary of its range although it has begun to expand westward and can now be found west of the Rocky Mountains. Adults feed on nectar during the day, and are considered good pollinators, while the caterpillars feed on grasses.
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
