Ecology of aquatic Lepidoptera (Crambidae : Nymphulinae) in South Carolina, USA

An ecological study was conducted in May and June of 1995 and 1996 in South Carolina to determine the factors associated with distributions of aquatic Lepidoptera (Crambidae: Nymphulinae). Larvae were found at 65 lotic and le ntic sites in three ecoregions (Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain). Nine s pecies of aquatic Lepidoptera were collected from 12 species of aquatic vas cular macrophytes. One to six plant species were used as hosts, depending o n the species of lepidopteran; however, the number of host plants used by a lepidopteran was significantly correlated with the lepidopteran's frequenc y of occurrence. Significant habitat associations were found for five speci es. Langessa nomophilalis (Dyar) was found under the widest range of temper ature and width and occurred in both lotic and lentic habitats. Munroessa i cciusalis (Walker) was found in lotic and lentic habitats and had the wides t range of recorded depths. Parapoynx maculalis (Clemens) occurred at strea m sites with lentic-like conditions. Parapoynx obscuralis (Grote) occupied the widest range of pH and was restricted to lotic habitats, and P. seminea lis (Walker) was found in both lotic and lentic habitats. Additional specie s, collected at fewer than 8% of sites, included M. gyralis, P. allionealis , Synclita obliteralis, and S. tinealis. Overall, the distributions of aqua tic Lepidoptera in South Carolina were nonrandom and predictable on the bas is of habitat characteristics.