Grape Leaf Roller (Moth)
Desmia sp.
This moth was alighted on a block wall near an electric light. Eldoret, Kenya, December 2013.
Found within folded leaf of Cyphostemma, a member of the Vitaceae, the grape family. Eldoret, Kenya, December 2013.
There are quite a number of very similar species of
Desmia which feed as larvae on plants in the Vitaceae, the grape family.
Cut sections of leaf are folded together and secured with silk made by the
caterpillar. The adult moths are seen at electric lights. The patterns of black
with twelve or so whites spots are very similar between the species. There are
several grape species found near Eldoret and it is possible that the moth
species use different grape species.