LepidopteraNoctuidae – Owlet Moths

Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1

Xestia verniloides

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

Identification and Appearance

Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 - Xestia verniloides
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris

Xestia verniloides Lafontaine is described in MONA Fascicle 27.3. Determined by Lars Crabo.

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

Geographic Range

Very limited range of southwestern British Columbia to northwestern Washington. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

Seasonal Activity

Adults have been recorded May to September. ,

Diet and Behavior

Diet: Unknown but possibly hardwoods. ( 3 )

About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group

Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xestia verniloides. 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 verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 (2)

Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 - photo 1
Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Morris
Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 - photo 2
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 verniloides - Hodges#10973.1

What is Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1?

Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 (Xestia verniloides) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.

How big is Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1?

Forewing length 16-19 mm. ,

How do you identify Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1?

Xestia verniloides Lafontaine is described in MONA Fascicle 27.3. Determined by Lars Crabo.

Where is Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 found?

Range: Very limited range of southwestern British Columbia to northwestern Washington. ( 3 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.

What does Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 eat?

The diet of the Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 includes Unknown but possibly hardwoods. ( 3 ).

When is Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1 active?

Xestia verniloides - Hodges#10973.1: seasonal activity - Adults have been recorded May to September. ,.

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.