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Species Details

Hypocoena inquinata

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameSordid Wainscot IdentificationA small (2.0-2.8 cm wingspan) robust furry stubby-winged noctuid moth. The forewings are light yellow brown or beige, dusted with darker scales. The antemedian and postmedian line are uncompelled marked by a line of black dots or short streaks between the veins. The amount of black scaling varies in specimens and often forms a dark line along the fold. Veins lined with paler scales and standing out against the darker ground. Hindwings paler than forewings, dusted with light grey mainly on the outer half, and with veins contrasting with the ground as in the forewings. Occasional specimens are entirely suffused with dark scales on the forewings. The small size, pale color and stubby appearance will help separate inquinata it from similar species.
Scientific Name Hypocoena inquinata Common Name Sordid Wainscot Habitat
In Alberta it occurs throughout much of the boreal forest, parklands and foothills region, but is apparently absent in most of the grasslands region. It frequents wetland edges and mesic meadows, flooded ditches,…
In Alberta it occurs throughout much of the boreal forest, parklands and foothills region, but is apparently absent in most of the grasslands region. It frequents wetland edges and mesic meadows, flooded ditches, sedge meadows and fens.
Identification
A small (2.0-2.8 cm wingspan) robust furry stubby-winged noctuid moth. The forewings are light yellow brown or beige, dusted with darker scales. The antemedian and postmedian line are uncompelled marked by a line of…
A small (2.0-2.8 cm wingspan) robust furry stubby-winged noctuid moth. The forewings are light yellow brown or beige, dusted with darker scales. The antemedian and postmedian line are uncompelled marked by a line of black dots or short streaks between the veins. The amount of black scaling varies in specimens and often forms a dark line along the fold. Veins lined with paler scales and standing out against the darker ground. Hindwings paler than forewings, dusted with light grey mainly on the outer half, and with veins contrasting with the ground as in the forewings. Occasional specimens are entirely suffused with dark scales on the forewings. The small size, pale color and stubby appearance will help separate inquinata it from similar species.
Life History Poorly known. Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, which flies in July and the first half of August. The larvae are known to bore in the stems of sedge (Carex species). Range Across Canada from NFLD to BC, south in the east to Connecticut and Ohio and in the west to Colorado. Notes
This little moth is found in cool open mesic habitats such as sedge meadows and lakeshores. I have found it quite common in grassy ditches near wetlands, and have even had a few come to a trap in the backyard, on the…
This little moth is found in cool open mesic habitats such as sedge meadows and lakeshores. I have found it quite common in grassy ditches near wetlands, and have even had a few come to a trap in the backyard, on the edge of Fulton ravine in Edmonton

Citation

Page Citation for Hypocoena inquinata

Page Citation

"Species Details - Hypocoena inquinata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6127. Accessed 02 Jul. 2022.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Noctuoidea Family Noctuidae Subfamily Amphipyrinae Genus Hypocoena Species Hypocoena inquinata
This hierarchy is created from our museum records, it may not always accurately reflect modern taxonomies.

Taxonomic Hierarchy for University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum