Double Square-spot
Xestia triangulum
This record describes Xestia triangulum (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 36-46 mm. Distinctively marked species with unusually square markings on the wings. The single generation flies in June and July and visits light and sugar, as well as certain flowers. The polyphagous caterpillars hibernate when quite small and feed in spring on various trees and shrubs. Occurs fairly commonly throughout the British Isles. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Family
- Noctuidae
- Genus
- Xestia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Frequenting mainly wooded habitats.
Seasonal Activity
The single generation flies in June and July and visits light and sugar, as well as certain flowers.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The polyphagous caterpillars hibernate when quite small and feed in spring on various trees and shrubs.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Occurs fairly commonly throughout the British Isles. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia triangulum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Double Square-spot (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Double Square-spot
What is Double Square-spot?
Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Double Square-spot found?
Habitat: Frequenting mainly wooded habitats.
When is Double Square-spot active?
Double Square-spot: seasonal activity - The single generation flies in June and July and visits light and sugar, as well as certain flowers..
What is the life cycle of a Double Square-spot?
The polyphagous caterpillars hibernate when quite small and feed in spring on various trees and shrubs.