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
  • Noctua ditrapezium [Schiffermüller], 1775

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:

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

  1. 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
  2. "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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