SeasonalityMales fly in Alberta from mid-July to late August, with most collected the last week of July.IdentificationA 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)
Scientific NameXestia lupaHabitat
coniferous woodlands
Seasonality
Males fly in Alberta from mid-July to late August, with most collected the last week of July.
Identification
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…
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)
Life History
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…
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.
Diet Info
Larval hosts unknown
Range
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…
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.
Notes
Previously reported as the closely related Palaearctic species X. laetibilis (e.g. Bowman 1951). Bowman listed laetibilis for both Waterton (open circle on map) and Edmonton. I have not seen specimens from either locality.
Previously reported as the closely related Palaearctic species X. laetibilis (e.g. Bowman 1951). Bowman listed laetibilis for both Waterton (open circle on map) and Edmonton. I have not seen specimens from either locality.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Xestia lupa
Page Citation
"Species Details - Xestia lupa, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6219. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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 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.
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 Collected2004-07-15