Moths of North Carolina
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View PDFCrambidae Members:
Hahncappsia Members:
1 NC Records

Hahncappsia neobliteralis (Capps, 1967) - No Common Name

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Taxonomy
Superfamily: Pyraloidea Family: CrambidaeSubfamily: PyraustinaeTribe: PyraustiniP3 Number: 801442.00 MONA Number: 4965.00
Species Status: "I generally dissect all Hahncappsia. H. pergilvalis is the most distinctively marked" (Scholtens, 2017)
Identification
Field Guide Descriptions: Online Photographs: MPG, BugGuide, iNaturalist, Google, BAMONA, GBIF, BOLDTechnical Description, Adults: Munroe (1976)Technical Description, Immature Stages: Capps (1967)                                                                                 
Adult Markings: Munroe (1976) noted that Hahncappsia marculenta, H. neomarculenta and H. neobliteralis are indistinguishable based on external coloration and patterning, but have distinctive genitalia. The following is a general description that applies to all of these species. The forewing is pale yellowish buff, thinly scaled and semi-transparent, while the costa is weakly tinted with buff or orange, especially at the base. The grayish fuscous antemedial and postmedial lines are weak but distinct. The antemedial line is broadly sinuated and oblique, and there is a small orbicular dot and reniform bar. The postmedial line is bowed outward from the costa where it is weakly denticulate, then projects inward for a short distance before angulating back and projecting nearly perpendicular to the inner margin. An even, dark, diffuse band is present in the subterminal area. The hindwing is paler and more whitish, with traces of a discocellular bar. The incomplete postmedial line is weak, convex, and often weakly serrate. The diffuse subterminal band is similar to that on the forewing, while the termen is somewhat deeper yellowish buff.
Wingspan: 18-24 mm for males and 22-23 mm for females (Capps, 1967).
Adult Structural Features: Capps (1967) and Munroe (1976) have descriptions and illustrations of the genitalia.
Adult ID Requirements: Identifiable only by close inspection of structural features or by DNA analysis.
Immatures and Development: The larvae feed on morning glories and are leafrollers, but details of the larval life history have not been reported. The late-instar larvae are light olive green with black pinacula. The dorsolateral ones are elongated and run perpendicular to the midline, while those below are more rounded. The head is amber colored, and the prothoracic shield is light olive green with two thin blackish lines that form an oval ring shape.
Larvae ID Requirements: Identifiable from good quality photos, especially where associated with known host plants.
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution: Hahncappsia neobliteralis is found in eastern North America, including southern Canada (Ontario; Quebec) and the U.S. from Massachusetts and vicinity southwestward through the Appalachian region to North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and westward to Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Michigan. As of 2023, we have a single record from Swain County.
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)

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Flight Comments: The adults fly from May through September. Our one record as of 2023 was from early July.
Habitats and Life History
Habitats: Local populations presumably occur in open or disturbed habitats where the host plants grow.
Larval Host Plants: The only reported hosts are morning glories (Capps, 1967; BugGuide), including Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea × sloteri). - View
Observation Methods: The adults are attracted to lights.
Wikipedia
Status in North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program Status:
Natural Heritage Program Ranks: GNR [S1-S3]
State Protection: Has no legal protection, although permits are required to collect it on state parks and other public lands.
Comments: Hahncappsia neobliteralis is relatively uncommon throughout its range, and we have only one record for the state as of 2023. More information is needed on the distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements before we can accurately assess the conservation status of this species within the state.