Nascia acutellus
Walker, 1866
Streaked Orange Moth
Nascia acutellus, commonly known as the streaked orange , is a small crambid moth to eastern and central North America. First described by Francis Walker in 1866, this inhabits wet grassy areas with sedges. are active from late spring through summer, with a wingspan of approximately 22 mm. The larval stage likely feeds on Cyperaceae (sedge ) species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Nascia acutellus: /ˈnæsia əˈkjuːtɛləs/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar crambid by its small size (22 mm wingspan), streaked orange pattern, and association with sedge-dominated wetlands. Separation from other Nascia and orange-colored pyraustine crambids requires examination of or detailed wing pattern analysis.
Images
Habitat
Wet grassy areas with sedges, including marshes, wet meadows, and sedge-dominated wetlands.
Distribution
Eastern and central North America: Nova Scotia south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Nebraska, Michigan, and Ontario. Also reported from Colorado and Vermont.
Seasonality
active from May to August.
Diet
probably feed on Cyperaceae (sedge ) .
Host Associations
- Cyperaceae - probable larval -level association inferred from preference and larval biology of related
Ecological Role
Larval in wetland , potentially contributing to in sedge-dominated .
Similar Taxa
- Other Nascia species share similar size range and preferences; require detailed morphological examination for separation.
- Orange-colored PyraustinaeSimilar coloration and patterning in related crambid ; precise identification requires knowledge.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by Francis Walker in 1866, with the name 'acutellus' retained in current usage.
Observation frequency
Over 1000 observations recorded on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively well-documented among North crambid .