Moths of North Carolina
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1 NC Records

Bucculatrix solidaginiella Braun, 1963 - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Family: BucculatricidaeP3 Number: 330002.00 MONA Number: 485.00
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Braun (1963)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Braun (1963)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: This is a small white moth (large for the genus) with pale ocherous to brown dark ocherous streaks. The following description is based on Braun (1963). The head and antenna are white, with the white antenna shading outwardly to pale fuscous in dark-marked individuals. The thorax and ground color of the forewing is white, with the latter having a series of pale ocherous to brown dark ocherous streaks.

A longitudinal streak that broadens outwardly is present that runs from the base of the wing along the midline to about one-third the wing length. This streak is frequently faint or absent. Three streaks originate along the costal. An oblique streak extends from the basal third of the costal where it often meets a second costal streak that is slightly less oblique. The second streak passes across the wing to a group of dark-tipped scales on the termen. A third costal streak that is less oblique and more diffuse than the second also crosses the wing and extends to the termen. Near the dorsal margin there is a single ocherous streak that originates near its middle and rarely touches the dorsal margin. It sometimes meets the second costal streak near the termen and often has a few black scales in the fold (absent is pale specimens). A line of blackish-tipped scales extends from the middle of the termen to the apex. On some specimens it continues as a brown hair pencil to the tips of the apical cilia where it contrast with the otherwise whitish costal cilia. The cilia below the apex are duller ocherous and have a line of dark scales that meet the apical pencil at an acute angle. The hindwing and cilia are brownish ocherous and the legs are whitish.

Many Bucculatrix are best identified by genitalia and we consider our records for Bucculatrix solidaginiella as being provisional. Bucculatrix montana is very similar, but the angle between the blackish streak and the line of blackish scales on the cilia is typically less acute. Bucculatrix solidaginiella is a goldenrod specialist that causes tip damage. Rearing records would be helpful in documenting localities for this species in North Carolina.
Wingspan: 11-12.5 mm (Braun, 1963).
Adult Structural Features: Braun (1963) has detailed descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia. Her verbatim descriptions of the genitalia follow.

Male: apical costal area of harpe with heavy blunt conical setae; socii diverging, very long, slender, enlarged distally, arising remote from tip of tegumen; a slight sclerotization ventral to the alimentary canal suggests a rudimentary subscaphium; aedeagus straight, slender and tapering to tip. Scale sac present.

Female: Anterior ventral margin of ostium sclerotized, lateral margins produced posteriorly and converging, the area thus enclosed microscopically spinulose; ductus bursae expanding before ostium; signum a broad ring, somewhat narrower dorsally, near posterior end of bursa and slightly constricting it; ribs regularly or irregularly spined, spines short.
Immatures and Development: The larvae specialize on goldenrods and feed in the spring within the growing tips of young shoots (Braun, 1963). They destroy the terminal bud, but barely bore into the tip of the stem. Braun (1963) surmised that the larvae make a mine on a leaf in the late summer or early autumn, with the overwintering larva feeding on new buds the following spring. The mature larva produces a white cocoon with a roughened surface and obsolete ridges.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: This species is apparently rather widespread in North American, with records based on dissections from Washington, North Dakota, southeastern Canada (Ontario to Nova Scotia) and the eastern US to at least Virginia (Braun, 1963).
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
Flight Comments: This species appears to be univoltine with most adult records from June and July (Braun, 1963).
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: This species is generally found at sites where goldenrods are present, including fields, woodland borders, and open woodlands.
Larval Host Plants: Bucculatrix solidaginiella is a Solidago specialist. It probably uses numerous species of goldenrods, but more data are needed on host species. Eiseman (2022) specifically lists Elmleaf Goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia), which is very rare in North Carolina. - View
Observation Methods: The adults occasionally appear at lights. Rearing records are needed for North Carolina and we recommending searching for damaged shoot tips and rearing adults following the spring warm-up.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [SU]
State Protection:
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 Photo Gallery for Bucculatrix solidaginiella - No common name

Photos: 1

Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2022-06-17
Madison Co.
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