SeasonalityAdults have been collected from late June to late July.IdentificationA medium size (approximately 3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) relatively broad-winged moth. Forewings even dark black-brown, unmarked except in most specimens a series of tiny yellowish dots, one at the tip of each tooth of the postmedian line and another near the end of each vein where it meets the wing margin. Hind wing slightly paler sooty brown with a darker discal mark and a black terminal line. Sexes similar. Antennae simple in both sexes. The large size and plain dark brown wings will separate it from other boreal noctuids.
Scientific NameXestia atrataHabitat
coniferous woodlands
Seasonality
Adults have been collected from late June to late July.
Identification
A medium size (approximately 3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) relatively broad-winged moth. Forewings even dark black-brown, unmarked except in most specimens a series of tiny yellowish dots, one at the tip of each tooth of the…
A medium size (approximately 3.6-4.0 cm wingspan) relatively broad-winged moth. Forewings even dark black-brown, unmarked except in most specimens a series of tiny yellowish dots, one at the tip of each tooth of the postmedian line and another near the end of each vein where it meets the wing margin. Hind wing slightly paler sooty brown with a darker discal mark and a black terminal line. Sexes similar. Antennae simple in both sexes. The large size and plain dark brown wings will separate it from other boreal noctuids.
Life History
Adults are nocturnal and come to light. Adults have been collected from late June to late July. The larval host(s) are unknown and the larvae are apparently undescribed.
Diet Info
The larval host(s) are unknown
Range
Holarctic. Like most Xestia in the subfamily Pachnobia, atrata is found across the boreal forest of North America, from the northern edge of the New England states and LB west to AK; south in the mountains to CO. Two…
Holarctic. Like most Xestia in the subfamily Pachnobia, atrata is found across the boreal forest of North America, from the northern edge of the New England states and LB west to AK; south in the mountains to CO. Two subspecies occur in eastern Russia. In AB it has been collected sparingly in the boreal forest region from the Fort McMurray region south in the mountains to Banff, in coniferous woodlands.
Notes
Atrata is an uncommon moth, and rarely is more than a specimen or two collected at any one locality. Alberta populations belong to the nominate subspecies, and is replaced in extreme northern BC YT and AK by a paler…
Atrata is an uncommon moth, and rarely is more than a specimen or two collected at any one locality. Alberta populations belong to the nominate subspecies, and is replaced in extreme northern BC YT and AK by a paler subspecies yukona (McD.).
The specimen illustrated above is from the Moths of Canada website.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Xestia atrata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Xestia atrata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6216. Accessed 07 Dec. 2024.
References
AuthorBowman, K.
TitleAn annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date1951
Series TitleCanadian Journal of Zoology
Volume29
Pages121-165
AuthorLafontaine, J. Donald
TitleNoctuoidea : Noctuidae (part-Noctuini)
Publication Date1998
Pages348
Specimen Information
There are 18 specimens of this Species.
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18 results plotted on map in 9 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-09
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-09
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-08
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Birch Mountains Wildland Provincial Park, Gardiner LakesCollected ByMacaulay, D. A.; Macaulay, S. H.Date Collected2004-07-12