Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446
Leucania multilinea
This record describes Leucania multilinea (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | forewing light brown streaked with fine brown and blackish lines; black dot above white streak where Cu1 and M3 veins separate; PM line consists of two or three black dots; three sharp even gray lines across collar behind head (if visible, this characteristic is diagnostic) - Note: Other species can have this characteristic. Per Hampson, 1905, L. phragmitidicola can have three gray lines across collar behind head. Leucania adjuta also can have three lines based on DNA tested examples. |
| Hindwing | hindwing white with gray shading at outer margin See Noctuidae of North America (nearctica.com) Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 91 & Wagner, 2011, p. 508 |
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
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Arizona
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: MULTILINEA: literally, "many-lined" - the origin of the common name, based on the appearance of the forewing
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucania multilinea. 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 Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Chuck Entz , Nick Block
Frequently Asked Questions About Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446
What is Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446?
Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 (Leucania multilinea) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446?
wingspan 33-50 mm
How do you identify Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewing | forewing light brown streaked with fine brown and blackish lines; black dot above white streak where Cu1 and M3 veins separate; PM line consists of two or three black dots; three sharp even gray lines across collar behind head (if visible, this characteristic is diagnostic) - Note: Other species can have this characteristic. Per Hampson, 1905, L. phragmitidicola can have three gray lines across collar behind head. Leucania adjuta also can have three lines based on DNA tested examples. |
| Hindwing | hindwing white with gray shading at outer margin See Noctuidae of North America (nearctica.com) Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 91 & Wagner, 2011, p. 508 |
Where is Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 found?
Range: British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Arizona
What does Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 eat?
The diet of the Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 includes larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae).
When is Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446 active?
Many-lined Wainscot - Hodges#10446: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to September.