Delightful Donacaula Moth
Common NameDelightful Donacaula Moth
Scientific NameDonacaula melinella
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySchoenobiinae
Wingspan (mm)23
Primary Colorstan, light brown, dark brown
HabitatWetlands, marshes, ponds, slow-moving water bodies
Geographic RangeEastern North America (from Canada south to Florida and west to Texas)
Host Plantssedges (Carex spp.), rushes (Juncus spp.), cattails (Typha spp.)
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are stem borers, feeding and pupating within the stems of emergent aquatic plants. Adults are nocturnal and often attracted to lights.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive prominent, upturned labial palps, the slender body, and the light tan forewings with darker marginal bands and small dark spots. Distinguishing from similar *Donacaula* species may require close examination.
Description
A small, slender moth characterized by prominent, upturned labial palps. Its forewings are typically light tan to yellowish-brown, often with darker brown costal and outer margins and a few small dark discal spots.
