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A medium-size (approx. 3.2 – 4.0 cm wingspan) moth with grey forewings and light grey to dirty white hindwings. The antemedian and postmedian lines on the forewings are dentate and marked by both dark and white scales, but do not contrast or stand out strongly. The most prominent markings are the large round orbicular and boomerang shaped reniform spots; both are white with the center filled with grey scales. The terminal line and in some cases the subterminal line as well is comprised of a series of thin black wedges. Hindwings dirty white, with a faint discal spot, median band and dark terminal line. Antennae simple. Sexes similar but females with shorter narrow wings and are flightless. Most likely to be mistaken for X. perquiritata or X. speciosa, but they can be separated by the large round orbicular spot of lupa. The genitalia are very different than those of externally similar species and can usually be examined by brushing the scales from the tip of the abdomen. The valve of lupa in forked; in similar species it is pointed or rounded. Adults and genitalia of both sexes are illustrated by Lafontaine (1998)

Adult males are nocturnal and come to light traps; females are smaller and apparently flightless. The larvae and larval host(s) are unknown. Males fly in Alberta from mid-July to late August, with most collected the last week of July.

Labrador to Alaska, north to the Arctic coast and south in the Rocky Mountains to Waterton. In Alberta it is fairly widespread at mid to high elevation coniferous forest and in the central and northern part of the boreal forest. It is found in coniferous woodlands.