Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1205351

Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth
Harrisina americana

Observation date: May 17, 2019
Date notes: I've been seeing the larvae on my grape vine for the past two weeks.
Submitted by: Dory Scott
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: These caterpillars (black and yellow striped, approx 1/8" to 1" long) have attacked my Grape Vine on the underside of the leaves. They eat the whole leaf, leaving only a brown skeleton of the leaf hanging on the vine. Their tiny black eggs seem to be enclosed in a white sac. The smaller larvae (approx 1/8" long) seem to feed in groups, but the larger ones ( approx 1" long) seem to be isolated. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been applied twice at a 5 day interval to try to control them but they seem to be multiplying regardless of the pesticide. They are seen mornings and evenings but are not visible so much during the mid day.
Status: Resident
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 18, 2019
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Louisiana, Jefferson Parish