SeasonalityIn Alberta from mid June through early September, with the peak flight from mid July through early August.IdentificationA medium-size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings with dark streaks and sooty-brown hindwings. There is a narrow black basal streak extending outward to a fine black discal dot, and a slightly thicker broken one along the bottom of the wing. The veins are thinly lined with white scales. The terminal area is slightly darker and has a number of short dark streaks and a series of indistinct dots indicating the postmedian line. The hindwings and all wing fringes are dull sooty brown. The sexes are similar, with females usually a bit darker. The large size, black streaks and dark hindwings will separate commoides from other Alberta Leucania species.
Scientific NameLeucania commoidesHabitat
grasslands, parklands in boreal forest, foothills
Seasonality
In Alberta from mid June through early September, with the peak flight from mid July through early August.
Identification
A medium-size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings with dark streaks and sooty-brown hindwings. There is a narrow black basal streak extending outward to a fine black discal dot, and a slightly…
A medium-size (approx. 3.5 cm wingspan) moth with yellow-tan forewings with dark streaks and sooty-brown hindwings. There is a narrow black basal streak extending outward to a fine black discal dot, and a slightly thicker broken one along the bottom of the wing. The veins are thinly lined with white scales. The terminal area is slightly darker and has a number of short dark streaks and a series of indistinct dots indicating the postmedian line. The hindwings and all wing fringes are dull sooty brown. The sexes are similar, with females usually a bit darker. The large size, black streaks and dark hindwings will separate commoides from other Alberta Leucania species.
Life History
The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood; adults have been collected in Alberta from mid June through early September, with the peak flight from mid July through early August. The…
The adults are nocturnal and come to light. There is a single annual brood; adults have been collected in Alberta from mid June through early September, with the peak flight from mid July through early August. The larval host of most Leucania, and probably commoides as well, is various species of grasses.
Diet Info
The larval host of most Leucania, and probably commoides as well, is various species of grasses.
Range
Widespread in North America east of the mountains south to Florida, and from Newfoundland west to British Columbia. In Alberta commoides has been collected throughout the grasslands and parklands region north to the…
Widespread in North America east of the mountains south to Florida, and from Newfoundland west to British Columbia. In Alberta commoides has been collected throughout the grasslands and parklands region north to the southern edge of the boreal forest (Edmonton) and west to the lower foothills.
Notes
Leucania commoides is one of 4 or 5 species of Leucania found in Alberta. The larvae of all apparently feed on grasses, and they are are most common in grasslands and other open areas where grasses are abundant.…
Leucania commoides is one of 4 or 5 species of Leucania found in Alberta. The larvae of all apparently feed on grasses, and they are are most common in grasslands and other open areas where grasses are abundant. Commoides is a relatively large species and appears to prefer less arid habitats such as parklands grasslands, where more robust species of grass predominate.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Leucania commoides
Page Citation
"Species Details - Leucania commoides, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6241. Accessed 06 Feb. 2023.