Moths of North Carolina
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25 NC Records

Bellura densa (Walker, 1865) - Pickerelweed Borer Moth

Bellura densaBellura densaBellura densa
Taxonomy
Superfamily: Noctuoidea Family: NoctuidaeSubfamily: NoctuinaeTribe: ArzaminiP3 Number: 932518 MONA Number: 9526.00
Species Status: Genetic barcoding shows little difference between Bellura obliqua, densa, anoa, and brehmei. These species vary greatly in color and pattern with strong overlap between species; names are frequently intermixed in the clusters formed by barcoding. The larvae are supposedly separated by their host plants but otherwise the taxonomic distinctiveness of the members of this group is unclear. Where specimens conform to the descriptions given by Forbes and others, we assign them to the traditional species. More problematic individuals are placed in the generic account.
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Covell (1984); Beadle and Leckie (2012)Online Resources: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLD                                                                                 
Adult Markings: A small member of this complex; a winglength measurement is helpful in its identification. The ground color of the forewing is light reddish mixed with darker reddish brown (Forbes, 1954). Schmidt (MPG, accessed 07-21) describes Bellura densa as having a darker purplish tint overall. The basal area is not paler than the lighter portions of the outer wing and often has a pinkish overshading. The orbicular and reniform spots are orange; the orbicular is larger than in obliqua and the reniform is thicker. According to Schmidt (MPG, accessed 07-21), the angle formed by the reniform and the costa is closer to 90 degrees in densa and more oblique in obliqua. The hindwing may have a reddish tint in this species rather than the fuscous found in obliqua.
Wingspan: 30 mm in males (Forbes, 1954)
Adult Structural Features: The forewings are "stumpier" in B. densa than in obliqua (Forbes, 1954).
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos of unworn specimens.
Immatures and Development: The larvae primarily feed on Pickerelweed, but on rare occasion may use Water Hyacinth. The following life history account is based on that of Center et al. (2002). A female can produce around 300 eggs and deposits these in groups of around 40 eggs to the undersides of leaves. The egg mass is covered with cream-colored, hairlike scales that stick to a mucus-like secretion from the female. The eggs hatch in about 6 days and the early instars scrape the leaf epidermis, which can result in extensive abrasions. The later instars burrow downward in the petioles and may eventually reach the rhizome and kill the shoot. Pupation occurs within a burrow in a leaf petiole following a 3-day prepupal period. The pupa is large (about 3.0 cm), dark reddish brown, and is not enclosed in a cocoon. The adults emerge about 10 days later, and complete development from egg to egg requires about 50 days.

The fourth instars have a yellowish head that is about 2.3 mm in diameter, a brown cervical shield, and a yellowish-brown body and attain lengths of about 3.0 cm. The color gradually darkens through to the seventh-instar larvae, which have dark reddish-brown heads about 3.3 mm in diameter, brown prothoracic shields, and very dark brown to charcoal-gray bodies. The largest larvae can reach 6.0 cm in length.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Our records are all from the Coastal Plain and 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
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Our records come from a variety of wetland habitats including peatlands, bottomlands, marshes, and savannas.
Larval Host Plants: Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) is the only known native host, but the larvae will also feed on Common Water-hyacinth (Oshuna (= Eichhornia) crassipes), particularly when Pickerelweed is scarce (Center et al., 2002; Wagner et al., 2011). - View
Wikipedia
See also Habitat Account for General Broadleaf Herbaceous Mires
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: G5 S4S5
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments:

 Photo Gallery for Bellura densa - Pickerelweed Borer Moth

Photos: 9

Recorded by: Stephen Hall on 2023-06-14
Orange Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: David George, L. M. Carlson, Stephen Dunn on 2022-07-15
Orange Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: R. Newman on 2022-06-11
Carteret Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-10
Wake Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Dean Furbish on 2021-07-10
Wake Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2020-07-18
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Lenny Lampel on 2020-07-18
Mecklenburg Co.
Comment: 		Recorded by: Paul Scharf on 2011-07-05
Warren Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: Newman, Randy on 2005-07-07
Carteret Co.
Comment: