Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Leucania multilinea Walker, 1856
Cirphis multilinea
Explanation of Names
MULTILINEA: literally, "many-lined" - the origin of the common name, based on the appearance of the forewing
Identification
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 white with gray shading at outer margin
Larvae: see Godfrey, 1972, p. 91
(2) & Wagner, 2011, p. 508
(3)Range
British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Arizona
Season
adults fly from June to September
Food
larvae feed on grasses (Poaceae)
See Also
L. commoides has more black streaking, and L. lapidaria has less black streaking than the Many-lined Wainscot. L. lapidaria is probably the most similar, but it lacks L. multilinea's thick black streak that originates in the middle of the wing and runs straight to the outer edge.
Print References
Hampson, G.F. 1905.
Catalogue of the Lepidoptera Phalænæ in the British Museum. 5:
482
Smith, J.B. 1903. Contributions toward a monograph of the Lepidopterous Family Noctuidae of boreal North America. A revision of the moths referred to the genus
Leucania with descriptions of new species. No. 1283.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum. 25:
196.
Walker, F.W. 1856. Noctuidae.
List of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the British Museum. 9:
97