Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1
Xestia mixta
This record describes Xestia mixta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewings | Forewings are grey-black crossed with white sawtooth shaped basal, antemedian and postmedian lines. Reniform and orbicular spots are white, but filled or mostly filled with the darker scales of the ground color so they appear as white rings. |
| Hindwings | Hindwings are pale grey. ( 3 ) |
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
Xestia mixta occurs in coniferous woodlands and boggy areas.
Geographic Range
Northwest Territory to Alberta and Montana, east to Newfoundland. ( 4 )
Seasonal Activity
The adults are most common from July through mid August. ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The larvae have been reared on Vaccinium myrtilloides (blueberry).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia mixta. 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 Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1
What is Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1?
Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 (Xestia mixta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1?
The forewing length is 16-19 mm. ( 3 )
How do you identify Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Forewings | Forewings are grey-black crossed with white sawtooth shaped basal, antemedian and postmedian lines. Reniform and orbicular spots are white, but filled or mostly filled with the darker scales of the ground color so they appear as white rings. |
| Hindwings | Hindwings are pale grey. ( 3 ) |
Where is Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Xestia mixta occurs in coniferous woodlands and boggy areas. |
| Range | Northwest Territory to Alberta and Montana, east to Newfoundland. ( 4 ) |
What does Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 eat?
The diet of the Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 includes The larvae have been reared on Vaccinium myrtilloides (blueberry)..
When is Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1 active?
Xestia mixta - Hodges#10959.1: seasonal activity - The adults are most common from July through mid August. ( 4 ).