Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444
Leucania phragmitidicola
This record describes Leucania phragmitidicola (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing light tan but not uniformly-colored: an indistinct and diffuse pale band runs obliquely from apex to inner margin, surrounded on both sides by slightly darker shading; PM line composed of several dark but inconspicuous dots; main vein running from base to middle of wing is whitish, bordered by thick dark line on inner edge; slightly darker shading along outer margin; hindwing white with no dark border See Noctuidae of North America (nearctica.com) Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 94 & Wagner, 2011, p. 509
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
eastern two-thirds of North America
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from June to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on grasses, presumably including Phragmites species
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: specific epithet refers to the tall reed Phragmites , presumably a larval foodplant
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucania phragmitidicola. 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 Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Chuck Entz , Nick Block , JoAnneRusso , Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444
What is Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444?
Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 (Leucania phragmitidicola) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444?
wingspan about 32 mm, based on photo by Jim Vargo at MPG
How do you identify Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444?
Adult: forewing light tan but not uniformly-colored: an indistinct and diffuse pale band runs obliquely from apex to inner margin, surrounded on both sides by slightly darker shading; PM line composed of several dark but inconspicuous dots; main vein running from base to middle of wing is whitish, bordered by thick dark line on inner edge; slightly darker shading along outer margin; hindwing white with no dark border See Noctuidae of North America (nearctica.com) Genitalia: ♀ ♂ Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 94 & Wagner, 2011, p. 509
Where is Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 found?
Range: eastern two-thirds of North America
What does Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 eat?
The diet of the Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 includes larvae feed on grasses, presumably including Phragmites species.
When is Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444 active?
Phragmites Wainscot - Hodges#10444: seasonal activity - adults fly from June to October.