Hypsopygia

Hübner, 1825

Hayworms

Species Guides

Hypsopygia binodulalis(Pink-fringed Dolichomia Moth)
Hypsopygia cohortalis
Hypsopygia costalis(Gold Triangle)
Hypsopygia intermedialis(Red-shawled Moth)
Hypsopygia
Hypsopygia new-species-two
Hypsopygia nostralis(southern hayworm moth)
Hypsopygia olinalis(Yellow-fringed Dolichomia Moth)
Hypsopygia phoezalis

Hypsopygia is a of pyralid moths described by Jacob Hübner in 1825. Members are relatively large compared to other pyralids. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, with several former genera (Dolichomia, Herculia, Ocrasa, Orthopygia, Pseudasopia) now mostly merged into it. exhibit diverse ecological strategies: some are nest of social , while others are pests of stored hay and dried vegetation. Several species are attracted to light and are .

Hypsopygia by (c) Donald Hobern, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Hypsopygia phoezalis by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Hypsopygia phoezalis by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypsopygia: /ˌhɪpsəˈpɪdʒiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Hypsopygia can be distinguished from other pyralid by their relatively large size within the . Formerly placed in separate genera (Dolichomia, Herculia, Ocrasa, Orthopygia, Pseudasopia), these are now largely synonymized under Hypsopygia, though some authors maintain them as distinct. Specific identification to species level requires examination of genitalia or detailed wing pattern analysis.

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Habitat

Highly variable across . Some species inhabit social nests as . Others occur in thatch, hedgerows, barns, and dried vegetation including stored hay. One species has been documented in vegetable matter within squirrel dreys.

Distribution

Widespread. Documented from Europe, eastern North America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Within the British Isles, most common in England and Wales, scarcer north to Scottish Borders, apparently absent from Ireland. North American records include Vermont and other US states.

Seasonality

of at least one (H. costalis) are on wing from July to November. Species with nest-parasitic may show extended or overlapping tied to nest .

Diet

Varies by . Some species feed on dried vegetation, notably hay made from clover or alfalfa, thatch, and vegetable matter. Nest-parasitic species feed on pupae; experimental evidence shows larvae of H. postflava developed to only when provided with paper wasp pupae, not nest materials or alone.

Host Associations

Polistes jokahamae - nest Hypsopygia postflava parasitizes nests of this paper wasp
Polistes rothneyi koreanus - nest Hypsopygia mauritialis documented as
Vespa velutina nigrithorax - nest , parasitized by H. mauritialis
Dolichovespula - nest for nest-parasitic
Polistes - nest multiple serve as
Clover/alfalfa hay - food sourceH. costalis is serious pest of stored hay

Life Cycle

Varies by ecological strategy. Nest-parasitic : H. postflava typically completes three per year, though some individuals complete only one or two due to delayed of overwintered-generation and second-generation larvae without . Overwintering larvae show variable widths; those below 1.08 mm die during overwintering. Pupation occurs within an oval cocoon in the feeding locale. Non-parasitic species: larvae feed on dried vegetation, pupate in feeding site.

Behavior

; attracted to light. Nest-parasitic exhibit delayed in overwintered . or competition suggested by variable widths of larvae within nests. One species reported at sugar .

Ecological Role

Nest-parasitic may regulate of social , including such as Vespa velutina nigrithorax, though their potential for is expected to be low. Some species are significant pests of stored agricultural products, particularly hay.

Human Relevance

Some are serious pests of stored hay, particularly clover or alfalfa hay, causing economic damage. Nest-parasitic species have been investigated for potential of social , though effectiveness is limited. Attracted to light, making them frequent subjects of surveys and biodiversity monitoring.

Similar Taxa

Other Pyralidae generaHypsopygia are larger than most relatives in the ; former generic distinctions (Dolichomia, Herculia, etc.) now largely synonymized
TineidaeSome historically misassociated; Acrolophus and related moved from Tineidae to Acrolophidae, highlighting classification challenges

More Details

Taxonomic Instability

The has undergone extensive revision. The genera Herculia, Dolichomia, Pseudasopia, Orthopygia, and Ocrasa are mostly merged into Hypsopygia, though some authors still treat them as distinct. This creates confusion in older literature and databases.

Ecological Diversity

The encompasses strikingly different : from nest of social to stored-product pests of hay. This ecological breadth is unusual within a single genus and reflects or retained ancestral plasticity.

Research Gaps

Little is known of the for many . The statement 'Little is known of its biology' was specifically made regarding H. binodulalis, and likely applies to numerous other species in the .