Kocakina
Özdikmen & Seven, 2006
Intractable quaker moth (for sole species K. fidelis)
Species Guides
1- Kocakina fidelis(Intractable Quaker)
Kocakina is a of owlet moths in the Noctuidae, established in 2006 to replace the preoccupied genus name Himella. The sole , Kocakina fidelis (intractable quaker ), is an early-spring flying moth of eastern North American dry woodlands. The caterpillar is known as the four-lined green fruitworm and feeds primarily on oak, elm, and flowering crabapple leaves.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Kocakina: //koʊˈkakiːnə//
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Identification
The is represented by a single distinguished by its early spring period and association with dry woodland . are attracted to blacklights. The caterpillar (four-lined green fruitworm) has four longitudinal lines and feeds on broadleaf tree foliage.
Habitat
Dry woodlands, as documented for the sole Kocakina fidelis.
Distribution
Eastern North America: recorded from Quebec and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas and Kansas.
Seasonality
Early spring; have been observed in late March and early April.
Diet
The caterpillar of K. fidelis feeds mostly on leaves of oak, elm, and flowering crabapple; also recorded from hickory and cherry.
Host Associations
- Quercus - caterpillar food plantoak leaves
- Ulmus - caterpillar food plantelm leaves
- Malus - caterpillar food plantflowering crabapple leaves
- Carya - caterpillar food planthickory leaves
- Prunus - caterpillar food plantcherry leaves
Life Cycle
Complete with caterpillar stage known as 'four-lined green fruitworm'. and details are not documented in available sources.
Behavior
are and attracted to blacklights. The is among the early-appearing in spring.
Ecological Role
Caterpillars function as folivores on broadleaf deciduous trees; may serve as prey for .
Human Relevance
The caterpillar's 'four-lined green fruitworm' suggests occasional association with fruit trees, though economic significance is not documented. The name change from Himella to Kocakina in 2006 illustrates taxonomic practices.
Similar Taxa
- Achatia distincta (Distinct Quaker)Also an early-spring Noctuidae with similar period and , but caterpillar is a feeder on deciduous trees plus grape rather than the more specific tree association of Kocakina.
- Acronicta betulae (Birch Dagger Moth)Another early-spring eastern North American noctuid attracted to blacklights, but associated with birch rather than oak-elm woodlands.
More Details
Nomenclatural history
The was originally described as Himella, but this name was a junior homonym (preoccupied by a different ). Özdikmen & Seven established the replacement name Kocakina in 2006.
Monotypy
The contains only one recognized , Kocakina fidelis (formerly Himella fidelis).