By Colleen Dabrowski & Anna Gombert
From Maryland Biodiversity Projects.
Cisseps fulvicollis, the Yellow-collared Scape Moth, historically can be found all across the United States. However, today they are much more common in the eastern parts of the country than the western. They are typically 27-37mm (1.14-1.46in) with a wingspan of 30-37mm (1.18-1.46in). The Yellow-collared Scape Moth has a black abdomen, thorax, legs and head. The head has a yellowish orange “collar” at the base . It is not uncommon for the Yellow-collared Scape Moth to be called the Orange-collared Scape Moth instead, because often the collar is more orange in color than yellow. The wings of the Yellow-collared Scape Moth have been reported to have a bluish sheen when the light hits them at a certain angle, making the orange collar’s color seem even more pronounced.
The Yellow-collared Scape Moth is an excellent pollinator and can be found during the day and at night along the edge of woods or in flowered fields between May and October. The moths commonly consume nectar from flowers such as goldenrod, asters, milkweed and blazing star.
The larvae or caterpillar stage of the Yellow-collared Scape Moth is hairy and whitish yellow with a yellow to brownish-orange head. The caterpillars eat lichen, grass and rushes.
The Yellow-collared Scape Moth was spotted by the Forest Findings team on the path toward the arboretum.
