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Species Details

Leucania multilinea

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

Common NameMany-lined Wainscot IdentificationA medium-size (approx. 3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings and white hindwings. The forewings have a long thin black basal streak extending to a mall black discal dot, and bordered on the upper side by a white line. The veins are all lined with white and the spaces between are filled with narrow parallel yellow brown and darker brown lines. Darker scaling also forms a streak from the discal dot to just below the apex, and another, broken streak just above and parallel to the lower margin. The normal lines are reduced to two or three black dots indicating the postmedian line. The hindwings are pearly white shading to a narrow dark margin, with whitish fringe. Antennae simple and sexes similar. The collar is crossed by three gray lines. The combination of dark streaks on the forewing and white hindwings will identify multilinea.
Scientific Name Leucania multilinea Common Name Many-lined Wainscot Habitat It frequents mesic grasslands and meadows, hayfields, roadsides and other open grassy habitats. Identification
A medium-size (approx. 3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings and white hindwings. The forewings have a long thin black basal streak extending to a mall black discal dot, and bordered on the upper side by…
A medium-size (approx. 3.5-4.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings and white hindwings. The forewings have a long thin black basal streak extending to a mall black discal dot, and bordered on the upper side by a white line. The veins are all lined with white and the spaces between are filled with narrow parallel yellow brown and darker brown lines. Darker scaling also forms a streak from the discal dot to just below the apex, and another, broken streak just above and parallel to the lower margin. The normal lines are reduced to two or three black dots indicating the postmedian line. The hindwings are pearly white shading to a narrow dark margin, with whitish fringe. Antennae simple and sexes similar. The collar is crossed by three gray lines. The combination of dark streaks on the forewing and white hindwings will identify multilinea.
Life History Adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood, with adults from early June to early August, peaking in mid July. Diet Info Larvae feed on meadow gasses, including Brome, Orchard and Quack grass (Covell, 1984). Range
A widespread distribution, from the Canadian maritime provinces west to BC, south throughout much of the USA. In Alberta it is found throughout the Parklands and lower areas of the mountains, but appears to be absent…
A widespread distribution, from the Canadian maritime provinces west to BC, south throughout much of the USA. In Alberta it is found throughout the Parklands and lower areas of the mountains, but appears to be absent in the arid Grasslands and Boreal forest areas.
Notes The many-lined Wainscot is a true denizen of the meadows. It is one of five or six species of Leucania found in Alberta.

Citation

Page Citation for Leucania multilinea

Page Citation

"Species Details - Leucania multilinea, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6180. Accessed 06 Feb. 2023.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Hexapoda Subclass Insecta Order Lepidoptera Suborder Ditrysia Superfamily Noctuoidea Family Noctuidae Subfamily Hadeninae Genus Leucania Species Leucania multilinea
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