|
Leucania oregona is most likely to be confused with Leucania farcta which occurs in the same areas as oregona. In fact oregona, up until now, has been treated as a junior synonym of farcta. Leucania farcta has a smoother appearance and lacks the varigated appearance of the forewing and alternating patches of darker and lighter areas in the forewing. The male genitalia are completely different between these two species.
Leucania anteroclera has a more Rocky Mountain distribution. The white line running from the base of the wing to the discal dot is more heavily accented with dark brown below it, the accenting running almost all of the way to the discal dot. The forewing of anteroclera is smoother appearing and lacks the obvious variegation of light and dark areas. The male genitalia display great differences between these two species. Leucania oregona Smith
Diagnosis: A rare species from the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The forewing light tan (with a slight reddish tint) with a variegated, striate appearance. A white stripe runs from the base of the wing to the discal dot and is accented below only near the base of the wing. discal dot a small black spot. Inner half of the forward margin of the wing (costa) slightly lighter than the wing below it. Hindwing white with a slight amount of light, gray-brown along the outer margin. The male genitalia are distinctive except for the superficially distinct Leucania imperfecta from the U.S. Southwest. Distribution: Leucania oregona is a rare and its distributioin is not well known. The species is represented in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History by specimens from northern California, Oregon, and Washington. Identification Quality: Excellent. However Leucania oregona and Leucania imperfecta (from the U.S. Southwest) are closely related despite large differences in superficial appearance. A remote chance exists that oregona represents a disjunct and distinctive population of imperfecta. This problem remains to be resolved. |
Leucania oregona Similar Species: Leucania farcta Leucania anteroclera
|
Similar Species
|