Moths of North Carolina
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35 NC Records

Aspilanta hydrangaeella (Chambers, 1874) - No Common Name


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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Incurvarioidea Family: HeliozelidaeSubfamily: [Heliozelinae]Tribe: [Heliozelini]P3 Number: 210085.00 MONA Number: 243.00 MONA Synonym: Antispila hydrangaeella
Comments: The genus Antispila has traditionally been a catch-all genus for a large group of similarly patterned species with a fascia before the middle of the forewing and a pair of opposing spots. Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) placed a cluster of six species that have reduced wing venation in a separate genus, Aspilanta. Antispila species in North America never have an apical spot, while Aspilanta species do, with the exception of A. viticordifoliella.
Species Status: In a preliminary analysis, Nieukerken et al. (2012) provided evidence that A. hydrangaeella may consists of two species that differ both genetically and in leaf mine characteristics. Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) later analyzed the characters of adults of two barcoded groups and did not find any supporting argument for the earlier suggestion that two species might be involved.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Chambers (1874) described this species from the leaf mines and host plant, and never observed the adults. There has not been a formal description of the adults since then. This species is largely indistinguishable from other Aspilanta, except that A. hydrangaeella is the only species that has both a silver apical spot and a relatively large number of white flagellomeres at the antennal tip (3 flagellomeres with 6 scale rings versus one or two). This and host plant specificity is the best way to identify this species. The forewing patterning resembles those of other members of the group in having a dark brown or blackish ground color. There is a silvery basal fascia at about one-fourth that tends to be slightly wider on the inner margin. Just beyond mid-length there are two smaller and somewhat triangularly shaped marks. One occurs on the costal margin. The second is on the inner margin, and is larger and slightly more basal than the first. Near the apex there is a small silvery spot.
Wingspan: 5.0–5.8 mm (Nieukerken and Eiseman, 2020)
Forewing Length: 2.2–2.8 mm (Nieukerken and Eiseman, 2020)
Adult Structural Features: Nieukerken et al. (2012) noted that the male genitalia are distinctive in that the uncus is only shallowly bilobed, and that the valva has a long pecten with more comb spines than other species (ca. 20). The triangular lobe is absent, and there is a beardlike setation at the base of the valve. The juxta is rather wide, and has groups of spines laterally. The phallus has two very long terminal spines and many small spines near the phallotrema, that does not form a comb. The female genitalia were not examined.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from photos showing hindwings, abdomen, or other specialized views [e.g., frons, palps, antennae, undersides].
Immatures and Development: The larvae are leaf-miners and exhibit geographic variation in mine characteristics. Nieukerken et al. (2012) reported that mines that they observed in western North Carolina began as a long linear track that often followed a vein. Eventually, the linear portion expanded into a blotch with greenish to brown frass. In contrast, mines in northern Georgia began as a very contorted linear track that occupied a small area. The mines contained black frass, and ended in an elongate portion with dispersed frass. Mines in western North Carolina exhibit a variety of patterns, and some appear to be intermediate between the two described forms.

At maturity, the larva cuts an oval-shaped section from the leaf and constructs a double-sided pupal case by encasing themselves with silk between the upper and lower mine layers. The larva overwinters in the case on the ground as a pre-pupa. Pupation presumably occurs during the spring, with the adults emerging shortly thereafter. In North Carolina the first occupied mines appear in June and there may be two to several mines on a single leaf. This is particularly true during late-summer and early fall when many local populations appear to reach their seasonal peaks.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Aspilanta hydrangaeella has been found in Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, and Maryland, then southward to western North Carolina and northern Georgia. As of 2023, our records for North Carolina are all from the Blue Ridge.
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Flight Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Immature Dates:
 High Mountains (HM) ≥ 4,000 ft.
 Low Mountains (LM) < 4,000 ft.
 Piedmont (Pd)
 Coastal Plain (CP)

Click on graph to enlarge
Flight Comments: Very little is known about the flight season. The larvae overwinter and the adults presumably emerge during the summer months. Nieukerken and Eiseman (2020) examined adults from June, August, September and October in areas throughout the range. We have found occupied mines and pupal cases as early as mid-June and as late as October. This suggests that there are at least two broods per year in North Carolina.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is strongly dependent on Hydrangea arborescens, which is found in mesic hardwood forests. Representative habitats include rocky slopes, the edges of streams, and along the banks of old logging roads and secondary roads. It generally prefers rocky substrates.
Larval Host Plants: The primary hosts are Smooth Hydrangea (H. arborescens) and to a lesser extent Snowy Hydrangea (H. radiata). There is also one record from northern Florida for Oakleaf Hydrangea (H. quercifolia; iNaturalist). As of 2024, most of our records are for Smooth Hydrangea. Snowy Hydrangea appear to rarely be used, but numerous specimens were recently found using this species at a site in Transylvania Co. We also have a record for Climbing Hydrangea (H. barbara). - View
Observation Methods: We recommend looking for the mines on Hydrangea leaves during the early summer through early fall.
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Montane Mesic Forests
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR S3-S4
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Local populations are strongly dependent on H. arborescens) as a host plant and as a result are patchily distributed across the landscape. This species is not common, but can be locally abundant where good stands of hydrangeas are present.

 Photo Gallery for Aspilanta hydrangaeella - No common name

58 photos are available. Only the most recent 30 are shown.

Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-08-16
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-08-16
Macon Co.
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Recorded by: tom ward on 2023-08-07
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-07-31
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2023-04-09
Transylvania Co.
Comment: A reared adult; mine on Oct 4, 2022; adult on April 9, 2023 after overwintering in a refrigerator. On Hydrangea radiata. 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2023-04-01
Yancey Co.
Comment: One of two reared adults; leaf mines were on Hydrangea arborescens on Sept 18, 2022; adults emerged on April 1, 2023 after overwintering in the refrigerator.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-24
McDowell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-24
McDowell Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-21
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-21
Rutherford Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-04
Transylvania Co.
Comment: Occupied mines were on Hydrangea radiata; adult emerged on April 9 after overwintering in refrigerator. 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-10-04
Transylvania Co.
Comment: Occupied mines were on Hydrangea radiata; adult emerged on April 9 after overwintering in refrigerator.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-20
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-20
Madison Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-18
Yancey Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-18
Yancey Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-15
Caldwell Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-15
Caldwell Co.
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Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-09-13
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-13
Rutherford Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-09-13
Rutherford Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-24
Macon Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-24
Macon Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-09
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-08-09
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and John Petranka on 2022-08-09
Watauga Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and John Petranka on 2022-08-09
Watauga Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-06-18
Madison Co.
Comment: An occupied mine on Hydrangea arborescens; note the leaf cut-out that is in progress.
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2022-06-18
Madison Co.
Comment: An occupied mine on Hydrangea arborescens.		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-16
Madison Co.
Comment: