Leucania

Ochsenheimer, 1816

wainscot moths

Species Guides

28

Leucania is a of noctuid established by Ochsenheimer in 1816, commonly known as wainscot moths. The genus is characterized by distinctive wing venation with 8 and 9 anastomosing to form an areole, and vein 7 arising from its terminal end. Several have been studied as agricultural pests, particularly Leucania loreyi and Leucania separata, which have been documented as for braconid . The genus has a broad geographic distribution with numerous species worldwide.

Leucania pseudargyria by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jack Gelinas. Used under a CC0 license.Leucania commoides by (c) Dan MacNeal, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dan MacNeal. Used under a CC-BY license.Leucania commoides by (c) brendanboyd, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Leucania: /luːˈkeɪniə/

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Identification

Forewings with diagnostic venation: 8 and 9 fuse to form an areole, with vein 7 emerging from the end of this structure and vein 10 positioned before the end. Palpi obliquely upturned with second joint roughly scaled and prominent, third joint short, naked, and depressed. well developed. hairy. minutely ciliated in males. not deeply retracted into . Thorax smoothly scaled. with scarcely any tufts on basal segments. Tibia and bear short hairs.

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Distribution

Worldwide distribution with recorded across multiple continents; specific range varies by species.

Ecological Role

Larval for braconid including Apanteles kariyai and Microplitis mediator; parasitoid oviposition preference observed for older host larvae.

Human Relevance

Some documented as agricultural pests; studied in laboratory rearing for developmental and - interactions.

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Sources and further reading