Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968
Xestia badicollis
This record describes Xestia badicollis (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing gray with slight red or pink shading; lines sharp to obscure, usually widening into spots at costa; black shading on basal side of orbicular spot, and reddish-brown shading between orbicular and reniform spots, with thin black edge underneath; hindwing dark grayish-brown Larva: body variably green, brown, grayish-brown, or grayish-green with tiny yellowish-white speckles; head greenish; middorsal stripe narrow, faint; subdorsal stripe white; spiracular stripe narrow, dark green; subspiracular stripe broad, speckled, yellowish-white; subventral stripe white, narrow, fragmented [C.T. Maier et al ]
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Noctuinae
- Tribe
- Noctuini
- Genus
- Xestia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
mixed and coniferous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Missouri and Ontario
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from late July to October, but are most numerous in late August and early September larvae present from late fall to July (overwinter)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed mainly on White Pine; other hosts include Balsam Fir, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern Larch, White Spruce, and Northern White-cedar
Life History
one generation per year; overwinters as a larva
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia badicollis. 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 Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , dennepj10 , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968
What is Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968?
Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 (Xestia badicollis) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968?
wingspan 32-45 mm larva length to 25 mm
How do you identify Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968?
Adult: forewing gray with slight red or pink shading; lines sharp to obscure, usually widening into spots at costa; black shading on basal side of orbicular spot, and reddish-brown shading between orbicular and reniform spots, with thin black edge underneath; hindwing dark grayish-brown Larva: body variably green, brown, grayish-brown, or grayish-green with tiny yellowish-white speckles; head greenish; middorsal stripe narrow, faint; subdorsal stripe white; spiracular stripe narrow, dark green; subspiracular stripe broad, speckled, yellowish-white; subventral stripe white, narrow, fragmented [C.T. Maier et al ]
Where is Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | mixed and coniferous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light |
| Range | Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to Missouri and Ontario |
What does Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 eat?
The diet of the Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 includes larvae feed mainly on White Pine; other hosts include Balsam Fir, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern Larch, White Spruce, and Northern White-cedar.
When is Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968 active?
Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968: seasonal activity - adults fly from late July to October, but are most numerous in late August and early September larvae present from late fall to July (overwinter).
What is the life cycle of a Northern Variable Dart - Hodges#10968?
one generation per year; overwinters as a larva