LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821

Euxoa xasta

This record describes Euxoa xasta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821 - Euxoa xasta
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman

Pacific Northwest Moths description is linked below. Barnes & McDunnough description is online. The forewing has a narrow black basal dash.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
Superfamily
Noctuoidea
Family
Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily
Noctuinae
Tribe
Noctuini
Genus
Euxoa

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Geographic Range

Texas to Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. , Syntype from Texas, Kerr County, Kerrville.

Seasonal Activity

The adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euxoa xasta. 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.

Explore Lepidoptera families and species →

Frequently Asked Questions About Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821

What is Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821?

Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821 (Euxoa xasta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821?

The forewing length averages 14–16 mm. ( 4 )

How do you identify Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821?

Pacific Northwest Moths description is linked below. Barnes & McDunnough description is online. The forewing has a narrow black basal dash.

Where is Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821 found?

Range: Texas to Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. , Syntype from Texas, Kerr County, Kerrville.

When is Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821 active?

Euxoa xasta - Hodges#10821: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from May to September. ( 5 ).

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.