It is widespread in the eastern half of the United States,[1] and commonly noticed defoliating grapes, especially of the Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).

The western grapeleaf skeletonizer (Harrisina metallica) is very similar to and slightly larger than H. americana, but their distributions are different.

[3] The larva has a dark head; the body is yellow with a complete black band across each abdominal segment.

[4] Eggs are lemon yellow, shaped like a capsule, slightly over 0.5 mm in length and are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves.

The body and wings are long and narrow, and the abdomen is usually held curled upwards, with a tuft of hairs at the tip.