SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from mid-June through early August, the main flight in July.IdentificationA medium-size (3.5-3.9 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth. Forewings grey-brown peppered with darker scales. Transverse lines somewhat obscured, doubled, erratic and filled with lighter brown, and with the postmedian line toothed distally at the veins. The area beyond the postmedian line is lighter and the terminal area is dark, with brown fringe. The round orbicular and the reniform are prominent, dark rimmed and filled with contrasting paler scales and dark brown centers. The hind wings are smoky brown, paler toward the base, with a small discal spot and white fringe with a light brown base. Similar to E. pleuritica, but with darker more evenly colored grey-brown wings lacking contrasting paler coppery areas. The male saccular extensions are much shorter in pestula than in pleuritica. Also very similar to some forms of tessellata. Tessellata males have thin cylindrical tips on the saccular extension, while those of pestula are flattened and blade-like.
Scientific NameEuxoa pestulaHabitat
Arid grasslands and dry open cultivated and wooded areas.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from mid-June through early August, the main flight in July.
Identification
A medium-size (3.5-3.9 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth. Forewings grey-brown peppered with darker scales. Transverse lines somewhat obscured, doubled, erratic and filled with lighter brown, and with the postmedian line…
A medium-size (3.5-3.9 cm wingspan) grey-brown moth. Forewings grey-brown peppered with darker scales. Transverse lines somewhat obscured, doubled, erratic and filled with lighter brown, and with the postmedian line toothed distally at the veins. The area beyond the postmedian line is lighter and the terminal area is dark, with brown fringe. The round orbicular and the reniform are prominent, dark rimmed and filled with contrasting paler scales and dark brown centers. The hind wings are smoky brown, paler toward the base, with a small discal spot and white fringe with a light brown base. Similar to E. pleuritica, but with darker more evenly colored grey-brown wings lacking contrasting paler coppery areas. The male saccular extensions are much shorter in pestula than in pleuritica. Also very similar to some forms of tessellata. Tessellata males have thin cylindrical tips on the saccular extension, while those of pestula are flattened and blade-like.
Life History
Poorly known. There is a single brood each year. Adults are attracted to light. Larvae are known only from lab-reared material.
Conservation
An uncommon but widespread species; no concerns.
Diet Info
Unknown. Most members of the genus are generalists on low-growing broad-leaved plants.
Range
Great Plains, from western Manitoba west to the foothills, north to the Northwest Territories and south to central Colorado. In Alberta it has been collected from the southern edge of the boreal forest to the Milk…
Great Plains, from western Manitoba west to the foothills, north to the Northwest Territories and south to central Colorado. In Alberta it has been collected from the southern edge of the boreal forest to the Milk River, and west to Nordegg and Kananaskis country.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Euxoa pestula
Page Citation
"Species Details - Euxoa pestula, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-4175. Accessed 31 Aug. 2024.
References
AuthorLafontaine, J. Donald
TitleNoctuoidea : Noctuidae (part)
Publication Date1987
Pages237
AuthorHardwick, D.
TitleThe Genus Euxoa (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in North America. Subgenera Orosagrotis, Longivesica, Chorizagrotis, Pleonectopoda, and Crassivessica.
Publication Date1970
Series TitleMemoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada
Volume37
Specimen Information
There are 28 specimens of this Species.
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28 results plotted on map in 12 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.