The closely related species Leucania linda occupies much the same range as phragmatidicola. Leucania linda has a distinct brick-red tint to it. The white line running from the base to the discal dot is present, but much weaker and not as heavily accented below with dark brown. The hindwing is heavily suffused with dull brown. Leucania humidicola is superficially similar to phragmatidicola. However humidicola is a tropical and subtropical species entering the United States in southern Florida, southern Texas, and southern California. Leucania humidicola has a bushy brush of elongate scales on the tibia of the prothoracic leg. This brush is absent in phragmatidicola. The two species do not appear to be sympatric anywhere in their respective ranges. Leucania phragmatidicola Guenee Leucania phragmatidicola Guenee 1852 (Type) Diagnosis: A common species of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Forewing color light tan, smooth in appearance, and without a brick-red tint. A distinctive white runs from the base of the forewing to the discal dot and then to the postmedial line. White line accented below with dark brown. Postmedial line represented by a variable number of dark brown spots. Hindwing white, slightly tinged with dull gray-brown along the outer margin. Distribution: Leucania phragmatidicola is a common species occurring throughout most of the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It appears to be absent from much of the southeastern United States. Its range extends westward to the eastern Great Plains region. Identification Quality: Excellent Habitat: This common species appears to occur in just about every grassy environment. However no specific information about habitat is available. Foodplants: Bromus sp., Agropyron repens, Dactylis glomerata (all Poaceae)* (Godfrey, 1972, U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin, 1450: 94.) * lab reared, possibly not a natural foodplant. Larval description: Godfrey, 1972, U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin, 1450: 94, figs. 232, 478. PDF not entered. |
Leucania phragmatidicola Similar Species: Leucania linda Leucania humidicola
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Similar Species |