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Species Leucania ursula - Ursula Wainscot - Hodges#10461

Leucania sp.: pseudargyria or ursula? - Leucania ursula

Leucania ursula (Ursula Wainscot)? - Leucania ursula

Leucania ursula - Ursula Wainscot - Leucania ursula - male

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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]