Moths of North Carolina
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Donacaula Members:
3 NC Records

Donacaula aquilellus (Clemens, 1860) - No Common Name

Donacaula aquilellus
view caption 		Donacaula aquilellus
view caption 		Donacaula aquilellus
view caption 		Donacaula aquilellus
view caption
Taxonomy
Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: SchoenobiinaeP3 Number: 80a1287 MONA Number: 5317.00
Comments: Members of the genus Donacaulis are found worldwide, but reach their greatest diversity in the Nearctic region. The group has proven to be taxonomically challenging due to the fact that most of the species are sexually dimorphic, are very similar externally, and exhibit substantial variation within species. Genitalia have proven to be the most useful diagnostic characters for delineating species, but almost all of the species were originally described based on external coloration and patterning. Descriptions and illustrations of genitalia were also lacking for most species until Martinez (2010) undertook a major revision of the Nearctic species. Her work revealed that there were at least 10 undescribed species in addition to the 11 described species in the New World. Additional studies of DNA barcoding and genitalia, including for North Carolina material, indicate that additional undescribed species remain to be formally described. "Some of these are probably identifiable, but, even with the Martinez thesis, there is a great deal of variation, and especially sexual dimorphism that makes these difficult" (Scholtens, 2017).
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Martinez (2010)                                                                                  
Adult Markings: The following is based on the description by Martinez (2010). In the males, the frons is pale yellow, the labial palp is brown, and the antenna is yellowish-white. The thorax is brown and the forewing ground color is brown with scattered yellow scales. There is a small black discal spot and a line of terminal spots between the veins on the outer margin. Females are similar to the males, but have a yellow costal band and lack the small black discal spot. The hindwing of the males is yellowish-white with two longitudinal, brown lines along veins CuA2 and 1A+2A. The hindwing of the females is also yellowish-white, with some veins tinged with light brown.
Adult Structural Features: Martinez (2010) 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: Ferguson (1975) reported that the larvae feed on Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) in Nova Scotia. They are stem borers and live well down in the stem toward the roots, which are below the high tide level.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution:
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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Ferguson (1975) reported that Donacaula aquilellus is associated with salt marshes in the intertidal zone of all the larger salt marshes in Nova Scotia and is often very abundant.
Larval Host Plants: Saltmarsh Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) is the only known host (Ferguson, 1975). - View
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
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 Photo Gallery for Donacaula aquilellus - No common name

Photos: 4

Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-05-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-05-21
Carteret Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2006-05-21
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: J.B. Sullivan on 2005-08-29
Carteret Co.
Comment: