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Species Leucania ursula - Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461

False Wainscot Moth? - Leucania ursula Ursula Wainscot - Leucania ursula Ursula Wainscot  - Leucania ursula Armyworm - Leucania ursula Is this Ursula Wainscot, Leucania ursula? - Leucania ursula Leucania ursula Ursula Wainscot - Leucania ursula - male Ursula Wainscot - Leucania ursula - male
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily Noctuoidea (Owlet Moths and kin)
Family Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily Noctuinae (Cutworm or Dart Moths)
Tribe Leucaniini
Genus Leucania
Species ursula (Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461)
Hodges Number
10461
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
First described in 1936 by William Trowbridge Merrifield Forbes as Cirphis ursula
Identification
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:
Range
eastern two-thirds of US; restricted in Canada to Ontario and Quebec
Season
adults fly from April to September
Food
larvae feed on crab grass and honeysuckle
Remarks
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]
Internet References