Grapevine Epimenis Moth

Often mistaken for a butterfly, Grapevine Epimenis Moths are springtime flyers with bold colors and a fondness for flowers.

Grapevine Epimenis Moths are mostly black with a velvety luster or sheen. The end of each forewing has a single, large white spot. When spread open, each black hindwing reveals a long, vibrant red-orange spot along the end of the wing. They drink flower nectar from trees and shrubs in the cherry, swamprivet, hawthorn, and redbud families.

The caterpillar of the Grapevine Epimenis has a red-orange head covered in black speckles. A second red-orange area is near the rear. This has two round black spots that mimic eyes, making it difficult to determine which end is truly a face. The rest of its fleshy body and rear end is covered in thin rings, or bands, of black and white. Caterpillars eat the end buds on grapevines and can be found in vineyards as well as backyards. They often curl a leaf upward and form a type of hammock using their own silk to bind and secure the leaf. Look for activity in spring and early summer.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Noctuidae

Genus: Psychomorpha

Species: epimenis

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Psychomorpha epimenis

Other Name(s): Grapevine Psychomorpha

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 22mm to 27mm (0.86in to 1.05in)

Colors: black; white; orange

Descriptors: orange, patch, eyespot, shiny, sheen, luster, flying

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Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

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Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Grapevine Epimenis Moth (Psychomorpha epimenis)

Often mistaken for a butterfly, Grapevine Epimenis Moths are springtime flyers with bold colors and a fondness for flowers.