Moths of North Carolina
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16 NC Records

Hahncappsia marculenta (Grote & Robinson, 1867) - No Common Name

Hahncappsia marculentaHahncappsia marculenta
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 80a0729 MONA Number: 4962.00
Species Status: "I generally dissect all Hahncappsia. H. pergilvalis is the most distinctively marked" (Scholtens, 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Allyson (1981)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Munroe (1976) noted that Hahncappsia marculenta, H. neomarculenta and H. neobliteralis are indistinguishable based on external coloration and patterning, but have distinctive genitalia. The following is a general description that applies to all of these species. The forewing is pale yellowish buff, thinly scaled and semi-transparent, while the costa is weakly tinted with buff or orange, especially at the base. The grayish fuscous antemedial and postmedial lines are weak but distinct. The antemedial line is broadly sinuated and oblique, and there is a small orbicular dot and reniform bar. The postmedial line is bowed outward from the costa where it is weakly denticulate, then projects inward for a short distance before angulating back and projecting nearly perpendicular to the inner margin. An even, dark, diffuse band is present in the subterminal area. The hindwing is paler and more whitish, with traces of a discocellular bar. The incomplete postmedial line is weak, convex, and often weakly serrate. The diffuse subterminal band is similar to that on the forewing, while the termen is somewhat deeper yellowish buff.
Wingspan: 18-24 mm for males; 21-26 for females (Capps, 1967)
Forewing Length: 10-13 mm (Munroe, 1976)
Adult Structural Features: Capps (1967) and Munroe (1976) has descriptions and illustrations of the male and female genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae are known to feed on members of the Asteraceae where they web together shelters, but details of the larval life history are poorly documented. The final instar larvae vary from 20-25 mm in length and are pale with a greenish white subdorsal stripe on the body. The head is pale with brown markings, along with a large black spot under setae PI. There are two blackish spots on each side of the thorax, and the anal shield is pale and lacks markings (Allyson, 1981; MPG). Allyson (1981) noted that the final-instar larvae of H. marculenta differ from those of other species of Hahncappsia by the lack of pigmentation on the abdominal pinacula. George Smiley (BugGuide) found a final instar larva in Texas that was feeding on goldenrod that formed a tight, thick, impenetrable brown cocoon about two days later. The adult emerged around two weeks after pupation.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Munroe (1976) reported that the range extends from Maine through southern Quebec and Ontario, then west to Iowa, and south to Alabama, Texas, and New Mexico. As of 2023, all of our records are 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
Flight Comments: The adults mostly fly in July In the North, and from May to September farther south (Munroe, 1976). As of 2023, our records are from early June through late-August, with a seasonal peak in June and July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations are often found in habitats such as meadows, roadsides, woodland trails, logging roads, and residential neighborhood where early successional species such as goldenrods and ragweeds are presents.
Larval Host Plants: The larvae feed on members of the Asteraceae (Capps, 1967; Munroe 1976, Heppner 2007, Robinson et al. 2010; also MPG and BugGuide), The reported hosts are Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Giant Ragweed (A. trifida), Cutleaf Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), and at least one other goldenrod species. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S2-S4]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: This species required genitalia or barcoding for identification and has likely been underreported within the state. Its conservation status is currently uncertain.

 Photo Gallery for Hahncappsia marculenta - No common name

Photos: 7

Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-06-29
Buncombe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: tom ward on 2022-06-29
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka and Becky Elkin on 2019-08-26
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David L. Heavner on 2019-07-02
Buncombe Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-06-28
Madison Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, P. Scharf, K. Kittelberger on 2015-06-18
Avery Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jackie Nelson / Doug Blatny on 2013-07-31
Ashe Co.
Comment: