Species Details
Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
SeasonalityIn Alberta adult have been collected in late July.
IdentificationA medium-size moth (approximately 3 cm wingspan) strongly patterned grey and black diurnal moth. Forewings are black with light grey markings, producing a strongly patterned appearance. The basal and subterminal areas in particular are banded with pale grey, and the prominent round orbicular and the reniform spot are filled with the same pale color. The postmedian line is prominently dentate. Hindwings black with a light fringe. The strongly patterned appearance and lack of any brown color will separate it from other Alberta alpine noctuids.
Scientific Name
Xestia maculata
Habitat
open alpine
Seasonality
In Alberta adult have been collected in late July.
Identification
A medium-size moth (approximately 3 cm wingspan) strongly patterned grey and black diurnal moth. Forewings are black with light grey markings, producing a strongly patterned appearance. The basal and subterminal areas…
A medium-size moth (approximately 3 cm wingspan) strongly patterned grey and black diurnal moth. Forewings are black with light grey markings, producing a strongly patterned appearance. The basal and subterminal areas in particular are banded with pale grey, and the prominent round orbicular and the reniform spot are filled with the same pale color. The postmedian line is prominently dentate. Hindwings black with a light fringe. The strongly patterned appearance and lack of any brown color will separate it from other Alberta alpine noctuids.
Life History
Very poorly known. Adults are diurnal. In Alberta adult have been collected in late July. The larva and host plant(s) are unknown.
Diet Info
The host plant(s) are unknown.
Range
Xestia maculata occurs at high elevation in the mountains from southwestern YT south in the mountains in eastern BC and western AB to northern MT. It frequents open alpine habitats.
Notes
This little alpine moth is known from few sites in western Canada and Montana. However, its rarity is likely due more to the difficulty in accessing the habitat. In Alberta it was known only from the type locality…
This little alpine moth is known from few sites in western Canada and Montana. However, its rarity is likely due more to the difficulty in accessing the habitat. In Alberta it was known only from the type locality (Lake Louise) until 2006, when it was found to be not uncommon in alpine areas of the Kakwa Wilderness area, north of Jasper National Park.
Citation
Page Citation for Xestia maculata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Xestia maculata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6220. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
References
Author
Lafontaine, J. Donald
Title
Noctuoidea : Noctuidae (part-Noctuini)
Publication Date
1998
Pages
348
Specimen Information
There are 10 specimens of this Species.
UASM78580 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-17
UASM78757 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-15
UASM78758 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-18
UASM78759 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.
Date Collected2006-07-15
UASM78864 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Hilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.
Date Collected2006-07-19
UASM78865 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park
Collected ByMacaulay, D.; Hilchie, G.; Hilchie, J.
Date Collected2006-07-19
UASM99182 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Lake Louise
Collected ByWalley, G. S.
Date Collected1988-07-18
UASM123240 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Gott Peak
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1996-08-23
UASM123241 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Gott Peak
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1994-07-15
UASM123242 - Xestia maculata
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: British Columbia, Gott Peak
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1993-08-05/1993-08-06