Leucania calidior (Forbes, 1936)
A cane moth
NatureServe Global Rank: G2G4
Virginia State Rank: S2
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: Leucania calidior is about 35mm (wing span) and very dull in coloration. The front wings are tan with a small brown patch next to a black dot in the reniform spot, near the middle of the wing. There are two dot lines in between the outer edge and the dot/brown patch. The hind wing is a uniform gray-brown.
Similar species: It is similar to Leucania pseudargyria and Leucania ursula which both lack the prominant black dot in the reniform spot. Leucania inermis has a less prominant black dot, but dissection may be necessary to differentiate these species.
North American Range: This species was originally found in Georgia to Florida, but was more recently found in North Carolina and Virginia. In Virginia, it has been documented in Lee and Suffolk counties.
VA Observations by Locality: Lee
Flight season and broods: presently unknown
Habitat and Food Plants: This is a cane feeding moth.
Behavior and Ecology: presently unknown
Population trend and potential threats: Little is known about this moth's population trends. Other than habitat loss, it is unknown whether fire would promote or eradicate this species. It is also unknown how adaptable this species is to habitat fragmentation or whether the age of cane matters.
Management practices: Most of the original habitat for this moth is gone, so conservation of existing habitat is crucial.
References: Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=10460 Accessed: 15Apr2013
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: September 10, 2012).
Pool, R. W. Systematics on the Fly http://www.nearctica.com/leucania/sysfly/Lcalidior.htm Accessed: 15Apr2013