Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth

There are several generations per year in the south, and one in the north of its range.

Eggs. Eggs are lemon yellow, shaped like a capsule, slightly over 0.5 mm in length and are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves. They hatch in about a week.

Larvae. 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. This is the only moth species that feeds gregariously on grape foliage.

Pupae. The pupa is brown, and lasts about two weeks in the summer, when multiple generations are possible. The pupa is also the overwintering stage, among leaves at the base of the food plant.

Adults. Adult moths are uniformly black except for a reddish 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. Adults are active visiting flowers during the day as well as at night. They live only a few days.