Leucania inermis (Forbes) Unarmed Wainscot

Pogue, Michael G., 2010, The Hadeninae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA 2380, Zootaxa 2380 (1), pp. 1-75 : 33-34

26. Leucania inermis (Forbes) Unarmed Wainscot

( Figs. 47–49 , Map 27)

Identification: Forewing length 14–19 mm. Overall ground color of forewing is light brown with no obvious striping as in L. adjuta . Antemedial line is present, but faint and consists of indistinct black spots, which can be connected with thin lines, especially near posterior margin. Postmedial line consists of a double row of black spots with the distal row consisting of more spots than the proximal row. In some specimens the spots from the proximal row are connected with short lines to the spots in the distal row forming a zig-zag pattern. A black spot is present at end of the discal cell. The orbicular and reniform spots are faint, consisting of just a slightly lighter area in the discal cell; spots sometimes indistinct. Terminal line is a series of minute black spots. Hindwing is gray, lighter basally with no distinct darker margin.

Leucania inermis , L. pseudargyria , and L. ursula have a similar forewing pattern. Males of L. inermis can be easily separated from the other two species by the absence of long, thick scales on the foretibia. These long, bushy scales are present on the male foretibia in L. pseudargyria , and L. ursula . The orbicular and reniform spots are very faint to almost absent in L. inermis with the reniform having a minute, central dark dot. Postmedial line consists of a series of 6–8 tiny black dots from costa to posterior margin. Terminal line consists of a series of minute black dots. Hindwing is white with veins highlighted gray and with an indistinct gray marginal band.

Flight period: Late April to mid-October, two broods annually ( Covell 1984).

Collected localities: North Carolina : Haywood Co., Purchase Knob at lower creek; Swain Co., Smokemont, Big Cove Road site p. (3 specimens)

Elevation range: 2040–4000 ft. (622–1219 m)

General distribution: An eastern species that ranges from Nova Scotia in Canada south to South Carolina.

Larval hosts: This is a general grass feeder and larvae obtained from eggs were reared on orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L., Poaceae ) ( Godfrey 1972).

MAP 27. Collecting localities of Leucania inermis .

Figures

FIGURES 41–48. Adults. 41, Sideridis congermana, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Keijimukujik, 18 June 1957, D.C. Ferguson; 42, Spiramater lutra, m, Tennessee, Blount Co., 0.1 mi W of Gregory Bald, 4929 ft., 27 May 2003, M.G. Pogue, USNMENT 00155153; 43, Spiramater lutra, m, Tennessee, Blount Co., Parsons Bald, 9 June 2002, L. & B. Merrit & M. Meyers, USNMENT 00153969; 44, Trichordestra legitima, m, North Carolina, Haywood Co., Purchase Knob, NE of house, field, 4925 ft., 2 Aug. 2003, M.G. Pogue, USNMENT 00218875; 45, Leucania adjuta, m, North Carolina, Swain Co., 8.3 mi NW GSMNP ent. on 441, Kephart Prong Trail, 2825 ft., 12 Oct. 2003, M.G. Pogue, USN- MENT 00219269; 46, Leucania adjuta, f, North Carolina, Haywood Co., Purchase Knob, NE of house, field, 4925 ft., 31 July 2003, M.G. Pogue, USNMENT 00156845; 47, Leucania inermis, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Acaciaville, 29 June 1951, D.C. Ferguson; 48, Leucania inermis, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Queens Co., Lake Kejimukujik, 12 June 1958, D.C. Ferguson.

FIGURES 49–56. Adults. 49, Leucania inermis, f, North Carolina, Avery Co., Grandfather Mtn., 5280 ft., 14 July 1974, D.C. Ferguson; 50, Leucania linda, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 16 June 1975, D.C. Ferguson; 51, Leucania linda, m, Maryland, Montgomery Co., Colesville, 9 June 1974, D.C. Ferguson; 52, Leucania multilinea, m, Canada, Nova Scotia, Victoria Co., Kelley Mtn. near Englishtown, 28 July 1970, D.C. Ferguson; 53, Leucania phragmatidicola, f, Oklahoma, Cimarron Co., Black Mesa State Park, E end of primative area, 4312 ft., 24 Aug. 2004, M.G. Pogue; 54, Leucania phragmatidicola, f, Connecticut, New Haven Co., Hamden, 6 June 1966, D.C. Ferguson; 55, Leucania pseudargyria, m, New York, 3 July 1900; 56, Leucania scirpicola, f, Florida, Highlands Co., Lake Placid, Archbold Biological Station, 19 Feb. 1985, D.C. Ferguson.