Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971
Xestia mustelina
This record describes Xestia mustelina (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The forewing is pale pinkish gray to gray with large discal spots outlined in black. Hindwings are pale smoky brown. ,
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 mainly in wet conifer forests.
Geographic Range
Species occurs in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia south to California.
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly mainly from mid-July to September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval feed on a variety of conifer species, especially Douglas-fir, true firs (Abies spp.), and hemlocks (Tsuga).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia mustelina. 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 mustelina - Hodges#10971 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971
What is Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971?
Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971 (Xestia mustelina) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971?
Forewing length is 14-16 mm, wingspan 32-38 mm.
How do you identify Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971?
The forewing is pale pinkish gray to gray with large discal spots outlined in black. Hindwings are pale smoky brown. ,
Where is Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found mainly in wet conifer forests. |
| Range | Species occurs in the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia south to California. |
What does Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971 eat?
The diet of the Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971 includes Larval feed on a variety of conifer species, especially Douglas-fir, true firs (Abies spp.), and hemlocks (Tsuga)..
When is Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971 active?
Xestia mustelina - Hodges#10971: seasonal activity - Adults fly mainly from mid-July to September..