Bug FAQLesser Grape Root Borer Moth
Vitacea scepsiformis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Sesiidae
Also called: Lesser Grape Root Borer
The adult moth has a wingspan of about 23 mm. The caterpillars feed on the roots of grape vines (Vitis species). Adults are active from July through October.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Wingspan is about 23 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae feed inside the roots of Vitis (grape) plants.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are on the wing from July to October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Native to the same region of North America as its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 25 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult Lesser Grape Root Borer Moths active?
Adults can be seen flying from July through October.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Sesiidae)
Purplish CopperLycaena helloides
Squash Vine BorerEichlinia cucurbitaeDamages trees, gardens or crops
Bronze CopperLycaena hyllus
Maple Callus Borer MothSynanthedon acerniDamages trees, gardens or crops
Southern Red RimBiblis hyperia
Peachtree Borer MothSynanthedon exitiosaDamages trees, gardens or cropsSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitacea_scepsiformis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.