Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461
Leucania ursula
This record describes Leucania ursula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
forewing lacks streaking seen in several other Leucania species Distinguished from L. inermis and L. pseudargyria by: 1. coarser/darker speckling on forewing 2. more distinct reniform spot, with gray area above and below it 3. more visible orbicular spot 4. faint gray triangle near forewing tip extends to edge of wing (see link to comparison images below) Genitalia: In examining the Leucania at the Mississippi Entomological Museum, I have noticed that ursula has light brown palps, concolorous with the abdomen and wings whereas L. inermis and L. pseudargyria have dark brown, almost black palps. I do not know if this is a reliable trait, but it is what I go by. [Kyhl Austin]
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 US; restricted in Canada to Ontario and Quebec
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on crab grass and honeysuckle
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Leucania ursula. 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 Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by anitagould , Chuck Entz , marcie oconnor , JoAnneRusso , Kyhl Austin , Robert H. Biagi
Frequently Asked Questions About Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461
What is Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461?
Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 (Leucania ursula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461?
forewing lacks streaking seen in several other Leucania species Distinguished from L. inermis and L. pseudargyria by: 1. coarser/darker speckling on forewing 2. more distinct reniform spot, with gray area above and below it 3. more visible orbicular spot 4. faint gray triangle near forewing tip extends to edge of wing (see link to comparison images below) Genitalia:
Where is Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 found?
Range: eastern two-thirds of US; restricted in Canada to Ontario and Quebec
What does Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 eat?
The diet of the Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 includes larvae feed on crab grass and honeysuckle.
When is Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461 active?
Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to September.