Xestia ditrapezium
| Xestia ditrapezium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Xestia |
| Species: | X. ditrapezium |
| Binomial name | |
| Xestia ditrapezium (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Triple-spotted Clay (Xestia ditrapezium) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in most of Europe, northern Turkey, northern Iran, Transcaucasia, Caucasus, central Asia, from the Altai to Ussuri, Amur, Kuril Islands, northern Mongolia, Tibet, China, Korea and Japan.
The wingspan is 35–47 mm. Forewing darker than in Xestia triangulum Hufn., smooth vinous brown; the dark markings not so black; hindwing distinctly yellowish-tinged.[1]
Differences from triangulum:
- Xestia ditrapezium Front wing on average narrower (or longer). Ground colour of the forewings usually darker (red to violet-Brown) and colour of the rear wing a shade lighter. Hindwings are significantly lighter than the Forewings.Collar without contrasts, almost monochrome.
- Xestia triangulum Forewings average wider (or shorter). Ground colour of the forewings of usually lighter (ochre to tawny or grayish brown) colour of the hindwings usually slightly darker grey. Hindwings about as light as the front wings.Lower part of the neck collar grey, separated by a light line from the dark upper.
Biology
Adults are on wing from in July.
When they are small the larvae overwinter while hibernating. After winter they feed on various food plants, including Vaccinium myrtillus, Prunus spinosa, Salix, Alnus, Betula and Rubus (including Rubus idaeus).[2]
References
- ↑ Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
- ↑ "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London.".
External links
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