Moths of North Carolina
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Common Name:
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View PDFCrambidae Members:
Rupela Members:
2 NC Records

Rupela segrega Heinrich, 1937 - No Common Name

No image for this species.
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SchoenobiinaeTribe: [Schoenobiini]P3 Number: 80a1278 MONA Number: 5310.00
Comments: Heinrich (1937) examined the genitalia of what were thought to be two or three white species of Rupela and was surprised to find that these constituted a group of at least 18 cryptic species with very distinctive genitalia. Only two species are known from North Carolina and they usually require the examination of genitalia for identification.
Species Status: "I would always dissect Rupela" (Scholtens, 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Heinrich (1937).                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Only two species of R. segrega are known from North Carolina. The males and females of R. segrega are identical, with both having an elongated abdomen and the head, thorax, abdomen, and wings white. In contrast, males of our second species, Rupela tinctella, are uniformly brown, while the females are white and indistinguishable from the males and females of R. segrega. Genitalia are required to identify the white forms, while any brown Rupela can be safely assigned to R. tinctella.
Wingspan: 26-33 mm for males; 28-38 mm for females (Heinrich, 1937).
Adult Structural Features: Heinrich (1937) 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 larval life history is undocumented.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: The main range of Rupela segrega extends from southern Georgia southward to southern Florida. Isolated populations have been found farther north in North Carolina and Maryland. As of 2023, our two records are both from Craven County near the coast.
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 have been observed from April through October in Florida, and from May through September elsewhere. As of 2023, our two records are both from late-June.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats:
Larval Host Plants: The host plants (if any) are undocumented. - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks:
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: