Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449
Leucania insueta
This record describes Leucania insueta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light brownish-yellow with brown shading between pale veins; dark brown shading on either side of pale Cu vein and in subterminal area; postmedial (PM) line composed of several dark dots in lower three-quarters, usually coalescing into thin curved line in upper quarter; pale grayish strip along costa from base to PM line; two pale triangular patches encroach upon subterminal area, one angling toward midpoint of outer margin, and the other angling toward apex; beyond these patches, the pale veins stand out against the dark brown shading; hindwing dirty white basally, shading to gray at outer margin; fringe pale yellowish
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Leucaniini
- Genus
- Leucania
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
dry forest clearings and roadsides; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait
Geographic Range
Newfoundland to New England and Virginia, west to New Mexico and California, north to Yukon and Alaska
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late May to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on brome ( Bromus spp.), Quackgrass ( Elymus repens ), and Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata )
Life History
two generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucania insueta. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , Chuck Entz , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449
What is Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449?
Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 (Leucania insueta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449?
wingspan 32-35 mm, based on two Internet photos
How do you identify Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449?
Adult: forewing light brownish-yellow with brown shading between pale veins; dark brown shading on either side of pale Cu vein and in subterminal area; postmedial (PM) line composed of several dark dots in lower three-quarters, usually coalescing into thin curved line in upper quarter; pale grayish strip along costa from base to PM line; two pale triangular patches encroach upon subterminal area, one angling toward midpoint of outer margin, and the other angling toward apex; beyond these patches, the pale veins stand out against the dark brown shading; hindwing dirty white basally, shading to gray at outer margin; fringe pale yellowish
Where is Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry forest clearings and roadsides; adults are nocturnal and come to light and bait |
| Range | Newfoundland to New England and Virginia, west to New Mexico and California, north to Yukon and Alaska |
What does Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 eat?
The diet of the Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 includes larvae feed on brome ( Bromus spp.), Quackgrass ( Elymus repens ), and Orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata ).
When is Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449 active?
Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449: seasonal activity - adults fly from late May to August.
What is the life cycle of a Leucania insueta - Hodges#10449?
two generations per year