Q: My daughter found this unusual rust, colored moth with a ruffled edge wing. Can you tell me what it is?

A: The moth is probably a Virginia-creeper Sphinx moth, Darapsa myron. It can be found throughout most of the states along the eastern seaboard upwards into the lower portions of Canada. The Virginia creeper moth gets its name from the larvae feeding on – you guessed it – Virginia creeper. But the caterpillar has also been known to like the taste of grape leaves too. We certainly have plenty of wild grapes growing along the roadsides and timberland in our area. The adults feed on decaying fruit – they are not important pollinators as they do not visit flowers.

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