Pyraloidea >> Crambidae >> Schoenobiinae >> Donacaula

Donacaula melinellus

(Clemens, 1860)

Larval feeding type: European species of the genus are known to feed on various parts of the foodplants, pupating in the stem
Larval substrate: Unknown, but presumably marsh or aquatic plants, e.g. Carex, Phragmites, Scirpus, Spartina
Phenology: Adult: 5/31 to 8/24 (7 records)

Comment: The female is large (27-34mm WS), uniformly light brown, broad-winged with the apex extended. It often has a single dot at the end of the disc and sometimes a faint apical stripe similar to that in the male. The male is slightly smaller and darker, similar to the male of D. linealis, but the apical stripe is marked with a series of dark dashes where it crosses the veins.

Status in MA (automated assessment): Restricted distribution, rare
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1945
Last Year Reported: 2024

Distribution by County: Essex, Plymouth, Dukes
Number of Records: 7