In mid-June I started paying attention to the many butterflies and moths that were enjoying the flowering shrubs. One really caught my eye though: it had a shiny, turquoise blue body and very plain dark wings. The first one I watched kept flying between a flowering shrub and a nearby conifer tree. Eventually I got a good look at it (and some photos) so I could identify it as a Virginia Ctenucha Moth.
Do Moths Only Fly at Night?
Nope. That’s one of the many things that make it tricky for me to know whether to look for a new winged wonder in my Peterson Field Guide to Moths or my ROM Guide to the Butterflies of Ontario.
Yes, I know butterflies usually perch with their wings closed held up over their backs. So how come I keep getting great photos of everything from Swallowtails to Little Satyrs with their wings spread flat out to admire?
Yes, I understand that butterflies usually have “club” ends to their antenna and moths usually have “feathery” antenna. When an insect is flying past at a zillion kilometers an hour, though, I can’t usually see the antenna at all.
You can see this Ctenucha’s feathery antenna.
Anyway, to my surprise, this showy creature was a day-flying moth, mingling happily with all other sorts of butterflies, including Cabbage Whites, Little Wood Satyrs, Red Admirals and even a few Hairstreaks.
These moths can look very black in certain lights.
Does the Virginia Ctenucha Live on Virginia Creeper?
The first of these moths that I saw were in an area with lots of Virginia Creeper vines.
The electric blue body is very noticeable especially in flight.
Apparently that has nothing to do with the name, though. This Ctenuchas’ caterpillars like to eat grasses, sedges and iris, according to BugGuide.net.
As I saw, the moths like to take nectar from flowers.
This particular Ctenucha was apparently gathering minerals from the path.
Virginia Ctenucha can be found in the state of Virginia. They are also found in all of the Canadian provinces.
This shows that in flight you may see some of the white edging on the wings and the blue and orange colouring.
I quite enjoyed seeing these moths and just when I was getting used to them, they vanished. I’m not sure if we will get two batches of adults in this area, so I’ll have to keep my eyes open over July and August for reappearance.
When the Ctenuchas are moving around plants sometimes the orange near the front end is very noticeable.
Related Reading
- Butterflies of June Soar and Bask in Southern Ontario
- Leconte’s Haploa Moth Brightens Up a Dull Leaf
Join In
Have you seen one of these moths with the startlingly blue body? Please share your sighting with a comment.
I see them a great deal on common milkweed which, in my area of central Ontario, seems to be their preferred food. They also like spreading dogbane.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing your sighting!
Found one this morning in dawson creek, bc basking in tje sun. Quite beautiful colors
L
Sounds wonderful–thanks for sharing your sighting!
I literally just saw one in my baccyard I’m in Miami Fl btw so beautiful I googled and this popped up
They are a pretty moth!
Saw one and took picture this morning in grand maris Manitoba. Was drawn to the colour of body and the long antenna mouth
They are pretty little insects to watch!
We just saw one of these on our butterfly bush. We live in SW Ontario and I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen one. Thanks for posting your findings — I had gotten online in an effort to identify it.
They’re quite interesting moths and I’m glad you got a chance to see one–thanks for sharing your sighting!
A friend, who lives in central Minnesota, has seen many of these around her rural home for the first time this year. Would this sighting more southerly of the Canadian provinces be related to global warming?
I believe that Minnesota has been part of their range all along, in which case it’s more likely that something has changed near her home that is helping them, perhaps a new type of grass, sedge or iris is growing in the area. Luckily, they are not considered a pest, so it should be ok. Thanks for sharing the sighting!
I have tons feeding on milkweed on my property in Northeast Wisconsin. I had to search many sites to find the name and physical characteristics. None of the references list them as native to Wisconsin.
I think some of these species have not been well reported in the past which means they can be missing on lists and range maps. I see on BugGuide.net http://bugguide.net/node/view/7773 they seem to include Wisconsin in the range since they talk about all the Canadian provinces, then south to Virginia and west to Utah. Oh, and I just found a list of all of the butterflies and moths of Wisconsin on the Butterflies and Moths of North America website. On page 13 it lists the Virginia Ctenucha. So it looks like your moth is correctly identified. https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/checklists?species_type=All&tid=45219&page=12 Thanks for sharing your sighting!
Saw one today in ne michigan
Found one on my garden fence in rural central Wisconsin, near Waupaca. We have all kinds of plants, live near the “tension zone” so there are a variety of habitats, lots of water, mix of prairie, conifer and hardwood forest. Thank you for the opportunity to ID this insect, new to me.
I like the electric blue bodies best. Thanks for sharing your sighting!
I am in Cheboygan, Michigan and out of nowhere this moth/butterfly came flying in plain daylight. It stayed flying around for a bit and it disappeared. It was beautiful!!
I like them too and as daytime flyers they are easier to see. Thanks for sharing!
Just looked up the little dark moth and, yes , this is what we have. This is the second year we’ve had them. We are near Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
They are an unusual looking moth. Thanks for sharing your sighting!
I have one in Edmonton Alberta
They are quite pretty moths. Thanks for sharing!
Unfortunately, the moth I saw was dead – in the house. We are in Lewiston, Michigan – northern part of the mitten. I was happy to find out what it was. Now I can look for more.
It may just have been one that was dying of old age–they don’t last very long once they are moths. Thanks for sharing your sighting!
I had seen only one on July 17, 2017. It struck me as strangely beautiful as I had never seen this coloration on a moth as I live in NY. I had only seen it because of the beautiful electric blue colors. It continued to land gently on the tip of my nose, softly yet the wings flapped happily and rather fast.
Wow, that is an up-close-and-personal sighting!
Just saw one in Johnson, Vermont. One of the most beautiful creatures I’ve ever seen. Fluttered right in front of me and landed on my sweatshirt.
How nice to get a true close-up view!
I just had one land on my leg. Scared me at first but it’s colors are beautiful. Had to Google search to find out what it was. I am in Goshen Indiana…
Luckily it just thought you were a safe place to rest–thanks for sharing!
Just spotted a resting specimen on an Echinacea at dusk, here in Buffalo NY. I got a few photos before I lost the light. What a brilliant beauty!
They are one of my favourite moths–I’m glad you saw one!
We have spotted one on our flowering milkweed, in Wadsworth Township, Ohio. We planted milkweed for monarchs, but have had some bonus visitors!
How great that you are helping the Monarchs–and others are benefiting! Thanks for sharing!
We live mid-way between Ottawa and Brockvill in Ontario, Canada. We were inspecting the “Monarch Nursery” for Monarch eggs, which we found about 70 under a leaf, that we are cultivating in the back “40” and came across this beauty drinking the nectar from the Milk Weed. Such a beautiful sight.
They are quite striking to see–thanks for sharing and good luck to the Monarchs!
Yes I am in Smithfield, RI and I spotted this pretty creature on a butterfly bush just the other day. I love your pictures!
I like their electric blue, too!
Pierceton, IN father’s day 2019. Saw one in my mom’s flower garden.
That sounds like a good day to spot one!
Found one of these this afternoon just sitting in my dirt driveway. It flew right away on my 4 year old daughter and stayed on her,crawling around for 15 minutes than flew away. Never seen anything like it, love the colour. Im located in New Brunswick, canada
It may have found her warmth appealing if it was a cool day–or it could just have liked her!
On July 1, 2019 finally able to identify as a couple of them landed on our flowering shrubs as we were sitting on our deck in Beldenville, WI. I had noticed them flying around recently so was happy when they landed in front of us and offered us a good look.
I like to get a good look at these ones as the colouring is very appealing to me.
I live in Oklahoma and just saw this electric blue moth for the first time ever here! Short lived life though as the chickens got it.
Well, chickens have to live too!
First sighted on June 18 on some lamb’s quarters near the flower bed. Saw several in the following few days in other parts of the yard. We are in Two Hills County in Alberta
Thanks for sharing!
We have one in our garden resting on a day lily. Very pretty. Had never seen one before. We are in Hermon, Maine, close to Bangor.
I’m glad you had one visit your lilies!
I’m in Western Michigan. I was just outside, after a thunderstorm, and this little guy kept flowing me around & wouldn’t leave. I had to Google what it was as I was pretty sure it wasn’t a butterfly but I was very curious what EXACTLY it was. Without a doubt, this was it.
I wonder if the storm confused it, or if it just liked you !
I have some here that have red ring neck and dark blue head otherwise seem to be same .the kids catch a pair and. While in jar mated . so we know we have a male and female just not sure what species of moth they are …dark blue body which we originally was black . with like a moth wasp. Feathery but thin antennas. Any clues?
You may want to check on BugGuide.net. Some others that come to mind are Grapeleaf Skeletonizer and Yellow-Collared Scape Moth. Good luck hunting it down!
I found a Virginia Ctenucha inside my house tonight, just seems to be resting. Should I try to put it outside if it’s still there in the morning?
Thanks for the ID!
Yes, you can move it outside any time. Very sorry for the slow reply. It’s been a strange year around here.
I have just seen one sitting here beside me in Kanata Ottawa. It’s so beautiful
I love it when you can take the time to actually see one of these guys.
Saw one in my driveway tonight. The body was really kind of florescent when I shined a light on it. Looked exactly like the picture on here, now I know what it is. I’m in Western New York, about 45 minutes from Buffalo.
We saw this beautiful moth flittering around our garden. After many attempts, we finally got a picture. It is absolutely magnificent. I wish I could post it for you all. Anyway, we are in Oregon. This little guy must have traveled a long way. I feel blessed to have experienced it, with its rarity around here & its beauty.
I live in DeGraff OH and this moth was just on my wall in my living room this morning 5/31/22.
Thanks for sharing!
Just saw one yesterday – May 30th at a Nature reserve in Northeastern PA. First time I’ve ever seen one.
I hope you liked it–I think they are pretty!
I saw 2 today in East Aurora NY. I thought they were dead. Seemed quite lethargic. I am located on the other side of Lake Erie, across from Ontario.
I hope the perk up.
Most butterflies and moths have a very short lifespan as adults so if they don’t become active, it may also be natural if it is their time.
Just saw one of these beauties in Hibbing Minnesota!
They sure are colourful!
Found one inside my home. 🤷🏼♀️ Wasn’t sure if it was an invasive insect but now I looked it up. I ended up letting it out.
Thank you for being kind!
Just saw this striking fellow feeding on milkfeed flowers in central VT. Never saw before – love the brilliant blue and orange! Thanks for helping identify!
I live in Northern Wisconsin & saw one for the 1st time on the window if our back door! It was very beautiful with the orange & turquoise on its head! I’ll be watching for more!
I hope you have seen some! Sorry for the very belated reply (elderly parents.)
I’ve seen these drab bush brown winged … what I assumed a butterfly until I saw it in flight about two weeks ago, alighting on a snake leaved orchid ( not sure if that’s the actually name). I instantly became enchanted by its industrious drinking of the nectar, it’s antennae clearly a moth’s but so long and feathery. I tried to be ready for it to flutter again for a photo but it would b persuaded by my attempts do I watched, transfixed in amazement. I’ve been allowing these orchids to spread by safeguarding those parts of the property from my lawnmower man bro. It’s paid off! Wish I could show you the best photo I could take of it. Thanks for having this article. We are near the most northern shore of Lake Superior.
Sounds like a beautiful experience! Thank you for sharing.
Today was the first time I have ever seen this moth, feeding on a meadowsweet pondside in New York. Thanks for sharing your photos and ID!
Once I had seen one, I noticed I see them more often. I hope you see another one soon too!
I’ve been seeing them every day here in Western Newfoundland for the past week (mid-July). I had never noticed them before but was quite taken by their beautiful colours.
Thanks for the information!
Also, how do you pronounce ‘ctenucha’?
Thanks and take care,
Angie.
To be honest, I try to avoid saying Ctenucha out loud! I think the C is silent but I’m really not quite sure!
For the first time ever, we saw one in our flower garden today. It was on an astilbe plant in the sunshine, where it stayed for several minutes. Then it flew to a grassy area in the sunshine and landed briefly on a large stone in front of us. We live in West Minot, Maine, just outside of Lewiston-Auburn.
I’m glad you got to see one–I love the blue colour on these moths!