LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941

Xestia bolteri

This record describes Xestia bolteri (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - Xestia bolteri
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Smith original description is available in online in the print references.

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

Found in montane coniferous forests. ( 4 )

Geographic Range

Southeastern Wyoming to New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 4 ) Also found in Mexico.

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia bolteri. 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 →

Photos of Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 (5)

Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - photo 2
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - photo 3
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - photo 4
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 - photo 5
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Frequently Asked Questions About Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941

What is Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941?

Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 (Xestia bolteri) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941?

Forewing length 16-17 mm. ,

How do you identify Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941?

Smith original description is available in online in the print references.

Where is Xestia bolteri - Hodges#10941 found?
FeatureDetails
HabitatFound in montane coniferous forests. ( 4 )
RangeSoutheastern Wyoming to New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. ( 5 ) , ( 6 ) , ( 4 ) Also found in Mexico.

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

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