Leucania oaxacana Schaus

Leucania oaxacana Schaus 1898 (Type)

Leucania complicata Strecker 1898 (Type)

Diagnosis: A species of the southwestern United States. There are two distinct entities in the species currently called Leucania oaxacana; typical oaxacana from Mexico, Texas, and southeastern Arizona, and a distinctive population in southern and central California. Although these two segregates look superfically dissimilar, the male genitalia appear to be nearly identical.

Typical oaxacana: Forewing brown to gray-brown. The postmedial line is represented by a series of dark spots, the spots often connected by a dentate line. A short, dark line arises from the base of the wing, but reaches only about one-third the distance to the discal dot. Discal dot a small black spot edged below with white. Hindwing lightly suffused with dull gray-brown along the outer margin, but without distinct, separate dots.

California oaxacana: Forewing color straw yellow to yellow-brown with a slight orange tint. Dots representing the postmedial line distinct and present, but near connected by a dentate line. Discal dot not a dark, black spot, appearing to be only a small white spot. Hindwing white with a distinct series of small dark spots along the outer margin.

Distribution: Leucania oaxacana occurs throughout most of the U.S. Southwest from central Texas in the east to southern and central California in the west. The species also ranges throughout most of Mexico.

Identification Quality: Excellent for typical oaxacana. The relationship between typical oaxacana and California populations remains to be resolved.

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