Long-beaked Donacaula Moth
Common NameLong-beaked Donacaula Moth
Scientific NameDonacaula longirostrella
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilySchoenobiinae
Wingspan (mm)23
Primary Colorslight brown, cream, dark brown
HabitatWetlands, marshes, ponds, areas with emergent aquatic vegetation
Geographic RangeEastern North America (from Canada to Florida, west to Texas)
Host PlantsCarex spp., Scirpus spp., Typha spp.
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are aquatic stem borers, feeding inside the stems of emergent wetland plants like sedges and bulrushes. Pupation occurs within the host plant stem.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive long, upturned labial palps (snout), pale cream to light brown forewings with scattered dark speckles and subtle longitudinal lines, and its presence in wetland environments.
Description
A small, slender moth characterized by its pale, speckled forewings with faint longitudinal streaks and a very prominent, upturned, 'beak-like' snout.
