Moths of North Carolina
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Hahncappsia Members:
19 NC Records

Hahncappsia neomarculenta (Capps, 1967) - No Common Name

Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 801440.00 MONA Number: 4963.00
Species Status: "I generally dissect all Hahncappsia. H. pergilvalis is the most distinctively marked" (Scholtens, 2017).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)                                                                                 
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: 22-24 mm (Capps, 1967).
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: Limited observations to date suggest that the larvae specialize on crownbeards (Verbesina spp.), where they often feed on the leaves beneath a thin sheet of webbing. The larvae have pale green bodies that are rather boldly marked with dorsolateral patches of yellow that extend the entire length of the body. The abdominal pinacula are black, with some adjoining the ends of the yellow patches and adding more contrast. The yellow patches extend onto the thorax, but are reduced in size. The head is amber-colored and there is a a bold, oval-shaped, black ring where it joins the prothoracic shield.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Hahncappsia neomarculenta is found in the eastern U.S. where the range extends from Maryland and West Virginia southward to Florida, and westward to Arkansas, eastern Kansas, and Illinois. As of 2024, most of our records are from lower-elevation sites in the Blue Ridge, with a few records from the eastern Piedmont.
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: The adults fly from May through September in different areas of the range. As of 2024, our records extend from mid-May through late-August.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records are mostly from mesic habitats with opening such as roadways, fields, and forest edges that support the growth of rank vegetation.
Larval Host Plants: The limited data to date suggests that the larvae specialize on crownbeards (Verbesina spp.), including Wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia; MPG, BugGuide). Jeff Niznik reared an adult from Orange County on Yellow Crownbeard (V. occidentalis). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights; additional information is needed on host use in North Carolina.
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 neomarculenta - No common name

Photos: 8

Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2024-05-16
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-10-01
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-10-01
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jeff Niznik on 2023-10-01
Orange Co.
Comment: In leaf roll on Yellow Crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis).
Recorded by: David George, Stephen Dunn, Jeff Niznik on 2023-06-25
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Simpson Eason on 2020-08-23
Durham Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Stephen Hall and J.B. Sullivan on 2019-06-30
Ashe Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Jim Petranka on 2019-05-11
Madison Co.
Comment: