''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...

Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays", " darts" or " rustics", but such names are commonplace among Noctuidae. ''Xestia'' moths have a wide distribution, though they most prominently occur in the Holarctic. With almost 200 species included at one time, ''Xestia'' was something of a "

wastebin genus Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon, dustbin taxon or catch-all taxon) is a term used by some taxonomists to refer to a taxon that has the sole purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically defined ...

". But almost half of the traditional species are now placed elsewhere (see

below Below may refer to: *Earth *Ground (disambiguation) *Soil *Floor *Bottom (disambiguation) Bottom may refer to: Anatomy and sex * Bottom (BDSM), the partner in a BDSM who takes the passive, receiving, or obedient role, to that of the top or ...

), and some of the remaining ones are liable to be assigned to another genus also. On the other hand, new moths that probably do belong in this genus are still being discovered (e.g. '' X. hypographa'', which led to the 2002 transfer of '' X. ornata'' from '' Eugraphe'' to here). Thus, unless there are drastic

taxonomic Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types. ...

changes in the future, ''Xestia'' is likely to remain one of the larger noctuine genera.

Ecology

''Xestia'' adults are usually of medium size and robust build, with stout hairy bodies and strong wings. Some are quite colorful, with bold lighter markings and hindwings in delicate yellowish, reddish or bluish hues. Generally, they are

cryptic Cryptic may refer to: In science: * Cryptic species complex, a group of species that are very difficult to distinguish from one another * Crypsis, the ability of animals to blend in to avoid observation * Cryptic era, earliest period of the Earth ...

while at rest however, with unmarked pale or dull brownish hindwings; they do not have metallic hues and few species possess obvious eyespots.See references in Savela (2009) Xestia triangulum larva

This genus includes many species living at high latitudes and altitudes, in tundra and taiga ecosystems. Some have two-year (

semivoltine Voltinism is a term used in biology to indicate the number of broods or generations of an organism in a year. The term is most often applied to insects, and is particularly in use in sericulture, where silkworm varieties vary in their voltinism. ...

) life cycles and only occur as adults every other year; typically the

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...

larva overwinters to pupate in spring, with the moths flying around midsummer, but some species eclose later, their moths flying from late summer into autumn. ''Xestia''

s are generally stout and cryptically colored; in some species they have quite prominent dark lengthwise spots, but may e.g. be entirely green or whatever else gives best camouflage. Some species' larvae are notoriously

polyphagous Feeding is the process by which organisms, typically animals, obtain food. Terminology often uses either the suffixes -vore, -vory, or -vorous from Latin ''vorare'', meaning "to devour", or -phage, -phagy, or -phagous from Greek φαγε ...

, e.g. the setaceous Hebrew character (''X. c-nigrum''), the food of which includes all sorts of core

eudicot The eudicots, Eudicotidae, or eudicotyledons are a clade of flowering plants mainly characterized by having two seed leaves upon germination. The term derives from Dicotyledons. Traditionally they were called tricolpates or non-magnoliid dicot ...

s – including

solanaceae The Solanaceae , or nightshades, are a family of flowering plants that ranges from annual and perennial herbs to vines, lianas, epiphytes, shrubs, and trees, and includes a number of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, spices, weeds, and orn ...

and others which are poisonous to many

herbivore A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example foliage or marine algae, for the main component of its diet. As a result of their plant diet, herbivorous animals typically have mouthpart ...

s – as well as some monocots. The latter are mainly

Poaceae Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in lawns an ...

however, and few other monocots are utilized by ''Xestia'' larvae in general. Ericaceae, as well as Betulaceae and Poaceae, are key food plants for many of the high-latitude species. Gymnosperms are food plants of secondary importance in this genus, but Pinaceae form the mainstay or exclusive food of some species which occasionally become more than nuisance

pests PESTS was an anonymous American activist group formed in 1986 to critique racism, tokenism, and exclusion in the art world. PESTS produced newsletters, posters, and other print material highlighting examples of discrimination in gallery represent ...

. Altogether, ''Xestia'' moths are only known as major pests within limited areas or in regard to specific plants, in which cases damage can be economically significant though. Even though the larval food plants of many ''Xestia'' species are not or insufficiently known, those on record are from all major lineages of core eudicots. Among the

basal Basal or basilar is a term meaning ''base'', ''bottom'', or ''minimum''. Science * Basal (anatomy), an anatomical term of location for features associated with the base of an organism or structure * Basal (medicine), a minimal level that is nec ...

core eudicots, Caryophyllales (especially Polygonaceae) are particularly significant, of the asterids the Asterales (especially Asteraceae), Ericales (especially Ericaceae) and Lamiales (especially Plantaginaceae), and of the rosids the Malpighiales (numerous families) and Rosales (especially

Rosaceae Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...

). Less important asterid

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of d ...

s among ''Xestia'' food plants are for example Dipsacales, Gentianales and Solanales, of the rosids e.g. Fabales, Fagales, Malvales,

Myrtales The Myrtales are an order of flowering plants placed as a sister to the eurosids II clade as of the publishing of the ''Eucalyptus grandis'' genome in June 2014. The APG III system of classification for angiosperms still places it within the eur ...

and Sapindales. More basal ( mes)

angiosperm Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

s do not seem to be significant as ''Xestia'' food plants, at least not in temperate and cooler regions. As far as is known, ''Xestia'' adults are

nocturnal Nocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have highly developed sens ...

crepuscular In zoology, a crepuscular animal is one that is active primarily during the twilight period, being matutinal, vespertine, or both. This is distinguished from diurnal and nocturnal behavior, where an animal is active during the hours of daylig ...

(except of course the high-latitude species), but are often attracted to lights at night. They general feed on flowers with relatively short or no

corolla Corolla may refer to: *Corolla (botany), the petals of a flower, considered as a unit *Toyota Corolla, an automobile model name * Corolla (headgear), an ancient headdress in the form of a circlet or crown * ''Corolla'' (gastropod), a genus of moll ...

, and will also drink other sugary liquids.

Systematics and taxonomy

Several species formerly placed here are now in ''

Agnorisma ''Agnorisma'' is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. Agnorisma species were formerly included in the genus ''Xestia''. Species *'' Agnorisma badinodis'' (formerly ''Xestia badinodis'') – Pale-banded Dart Moth ''Agnorisma badinodis ...

'' and '' Pseudohermonassa''; whether other genera are accepted varies among authors; ''

Estimata ''Estimata'' is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many ...

'', '' Hemigraphiphora'' and '' Perinaenia'' are provisionally considered distinct here. "''Xestia''" ''versuta'' does not seem to belong in the present genus; it may be an aberrant member of '' Goniographa'', but until this is resolved it is here treated under its original name ''

Eugraphe versuta ''Eugraphe'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They belong to the tribe Xestiini of the typical noctuid subfamily Noctuinae, though some do not separate this tribe and include the genus in the Noctuini. It is closely related to '' ...

''. Furthermore, a case for separation has in particular been made for ''

Amathes :''The moth genus ''Amathes'' is nowadays usually included in ''Xestia. Amathes ( grc, Ἀμάθης) was, in Greek mythology, a son of Heracles, from whom the town of Amathus in Cyprus was believed to have derived its name. According to some tradi ...

'' (possibly including ''Agrotiphila''), ''Lytaea'', ''Megasema'' (possibly including ''Megarhomba''), ''Segetia'' and ''Schoyenia'' (with ''Archanarta'' occasionally also separate), but these are here included in ''Xestia''. Some of them are, however, recognized as

subgenera In biology, a subgenus (plural: subgenera) is a taxonomic rank directly below genus. In the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, a subgeneric name can be used independently or included in a species name, in parentheses, placed between t ...

, and if the genus is split further would be first to become elevated in rank again. There is no real good justification for either treatment, except that the lengthy process of a thorough revision of noctuine

systematics Biological systematics is the study of the diversification of living forms, both past and present, and the relationships among living things through time. Relationships are visualized as evolutionary trees (synonyms: cladograms, phylogenetic tre ...

and taxonomy has only progressed so far. H. Beck in 1996 published a comprehensive taxonomic catalogue, introducing generic names for most European groups of (presumably) related species. While few of these seem to stand any chance ever to be widely recognized as distinct genera, this step is likely to have made available a generic name for any taxa that are eventually split from ''Xestia

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

''.Pitkin & Jenkins (2004), Beck (2006), and see references in Savela (2009)

Synonyms

Junior synonym The Botanical and Zoological Codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently. * In botanical nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that applies to a taxon that (now) goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linna ...

s and other obsolete generic names for ''Xestia'' moths are: * ''Agrotimorpha'' Barnes & Benjamin, 1929 * ''Agrotiphila'' Grote, 1876 * ''Amathes'' Hübner,

821 __NOTOC__ Year 821 ( DCCCXXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Byzantine general Thomas the Slav leads a revolt, and secures control ...

/small> * ''Anomogyna'' Staudinger, 1871 * ''Archanarta'' Barnes & Benjamin, 1929 * ''Ashworthia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Asworthia'' ('' lapsus'') * ''Barrovia'' Barnes & McDunnough, 1916 * ''Calamogyna'' (''lapsus'') * ''Calanomogyna'' Beck, 1996 * ''Calocestia'' (''lapsus'') * ''Caloxestia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Castanasta'' Beck, 1996 * ''Cenigria'' Beck, 1996 * ''Epipsiliamorpha'' Barnes & Benjamin, 1929 * ''Ericathia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Hiptelia'' Guenée, 1852 * ''Hypoxestia'' Hampson, 1903 * ''Hyptioxesta'' Rebel, 1901 * ''Knappia'' Nye, 1975 * ''Lankialaia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Lena'' Herz, 1903 (''non'' Casey, 1886

preoccupied The Botanical and Zoological Codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently. * In botanical nomenclature, a synonym is a scientific name that applies to a taxon that (now) goes by a different scientific name. For example, Linn ...

) * ''Litaea'' (''lapsus'') * ''Lorezea'' (''lapsus'') * ''Lorezia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Lytaea'' Stephens, 1829 * ''Megarhomba'' Beck, 1996 * ''Megasema'' Hübner,

/small> * ''Monticollia'' Beck, 1996 * ''Pachnobia'' Guenée, 1852 * ''Palaeamathes'' Boursin, 1964 * ''Paramathes'' Boursin, 1964 * ''Palkermes'' Beck, 1996 * ''Palkkermes'' (''lapsus'') * ''Peranomogyna'' Beck, 1996 * ''Platagrotis'' Smith, 1890 * ''Pteroscia'' Morrison, 1875 * ''Schoyenia'' Aurivillius, 1883 * ''Segetia'' Stephens, 1829 * ''Synanomogyna'' Beck, 1996 * ''Xenopachnobia'' Beck, 1996

Species

The 110 or so species here placed in ''Xestia'' are divided among five

. Two of these are further divided into groups, which are based on phenetic similarity however and may or may not form clades and/or species complexes. Some of these would presumably warrant recognition as subgenera if the present-day subgenera are split off; the subgeneric names that would apply are given (if known) in the addition to the species-group names.Pitkin & Jenkins (2004), and see references in Savela (2009) About one-third of the species here included in ''Xestia'' are '' incertae sedis'' (of unclear assignment). Among this group are a few species which are extremely little known, having been described long ago but studied only once or twice since then.

Subgenus ''Anomogyna''

* ''

Xestia albuncula ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Eversmann, 1851) * ''

Xestia alpicola ''Xestia alpicola'', the northern dart, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from northern Europe across the Palearctic The Palearctic or Palaearctic is the largest of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth. It stretches acr ...

'' – northern dart (type of ''Xenopachnobia'') * '' Xestia badicollis'' – northern variable dart, northern conifer dart, white pine cutworm (possibly belongs in ''X. elimata'') * ''

Xestia borealis ''Xestia borealis'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoi ...

'' (Nordström, 1933) * ''

Xestia brunneopicta ''Xestia brunneopicta'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from Magadan to the east-Siberian Tuva in Russia. It has also been recorded from northern Finland. The larvae feed on various plants, including ''Andromeda polifolia'', ''Sa ...

'' (Matsumura, 1925) * ''

Xestia caelebs ''Xestia caelebs'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of ...

'' * '' Xestia dilucida'' – dull reddish dart, reddish heath dart * ''

Xestia distensa ''Xestia distensa'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuo ...

'' (Eversmann, 1851) (sometimes in ''X. laetabilis'') * '' Xestia elimata'' – southern variable dart, variable climbing caterpillar * '' Xestia fabulosa'' (Ferguson, 1965) * ''

Xestia fennica ''Xestia fennica'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Noctuidae. It was formerly considered a subspecies of ''Xestia rhaetica ''Xestia rhaetica'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in northern Europe, central Fennoscan ...

'' (Brandt, 1936) * ''

Xestia gelida ''Xestia gelida'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Noctuidae, found in Fennoscandia and northern Russia. It was first collected by Jacob Sparre Schneider on an expedition in Sør-Varanger, Norway in 1882, and was described the fol ...

'' (Sparre-Schneider, 1883) (type of ''Peranomogyna'') * ''

Xestia imperita ''Xestia imperita'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily N ...

'' (Hübner,

831 __NOTOC__ Year 831 ( DCCCXXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Byzantine Empire * Byzantine–Arab War: Emperor Theophilos invades the Abbasid dominion ...

* '' Xestia infimatis'' Grote, 1880 (tentatively placed here, may belong in subgenus ''Xestia'') * '' Xestia laetabilis'' (Zetterstedt, 839 (type of ''Anomogyna'') * ''

Xestia mustelina ''Xestia mustelina'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America. The MONA or Hodges number for ''Xestia mustelina'' is List of moths of North America, 10971. References Further reading

* * ...

'' Smith, 1900 * '' Xestia perquiritata'' – boomerang dart * '' Xestia praevia'' (possibly belongs in ''X. elimata'') * ''

Xestia rhaetica ''Xestia rhaetica'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in northern Europe, central Fennoscandia, northern Russia and further east to Siberia. It is also present in the Tatra Mountains and the Bohemian Forest. In the Alps it is ...

'' (type of ''Synanomogyna'') * '' Xestia sincera'' (type of ''Calanomogyna'') * ''

Xestia speciosa ''Xestia speciosa'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in northern Europe, including Fennoscandia, the Baltic region, parts of Russia and further through northern Asia to the Pacific Ocean and Japan. It is also found in the mountainou ...

'' (type of ''Platagrotis'') * ''

Xestia vernilis ''Xestia vernilis'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily N ...

'' Grote, 1879 * ''

Xestia viridiscens ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Turati, 1919) (sometimes in ''X. speciosa'') * '' Xestia yatsugadakeana'' (Matsumura, 1926)

Subgenus ''Megasema''

''ashworthii''/"''Ashworthia''" group * '' Xestia ashworthii'' – Ashworth's rustic (type of ''Ashworthia'') * ''

Xestia okakensis ''Xestia okakensis'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily ...

'' Packard, 1867 ** ''Xestia okakensis okakensis'' Packard, 1867 ** ''Xestia okakensis morandi'' (Benjamin, 1934) (sometimes considered distinct species) * ''

Xestia scropulana ''Xestia scropulana'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily ...

'' Morrison, 1874 (formerly in ''X. wockei'') * ''

Xestia wockei ''Xestia wockei'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from Siberia and northern North America, including Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories The Northwest Territories (abbreviated ''NT'' or ''NWT''; f ...

'' ''kollari'' group * '' Xestia kollari'' ''c-nigrum'' group * '' Xestia c-nigrum'' – setaceous Hebrew character, "spotted cutworm" (type of ''Cenigria'') * ''

Xestia ditrapezium ''Xestia ditrapezium'' (triple-spotted clay) is a moth of the family Noctuidae found in most of Europe, northern Turkey, northern Iran, Transcaucasia, Caucasus, central Asia, from the Altai to Ussuri, Amur, Kuril Islands, northern Mon ...

'' – triple-spotted clay * '' Xestia dolosa'' – greater black-letter dart, woodland spotted cutworm, "spotted cutworm" * '' Xestia praetermissa'' Warren (possibly belongs in ''X. c-nigrum'') * ''

Xestia triangulum The double square-spot (''Xestia triangulum'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed through most of Europe except Portugal, the Mediterranean islands and northernmost Fennoscandia. In the East, the species ranges East across th ...

'' – double square-spot (type of ''Megasema'') Species group unknown * '' Xestia inuitica'' Lafontaine & Hensel, 1998

Subgenus ''Pachnobia''

* ''

Xestia alaskae ''Xestia alaskae'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of ...

'' (type of ''Epipsiliamorpha''; tentatively placed here, may belong in subgenus ''Schoyenia'') * '' Xestia atrata'' (Morrison, 1875) (type of ''Pteroscia'') ** ''Xestia atrata atrata'' (Morrison, 1874) ** ''Xestia atrata filipjevi'' (Shljuzhko, 1926) ** ''Xestia atrata haraldi'' Fibiger, 1997 ** ''Xestia atrata ursae'' (McDunnough, 1940) ** ''Xestia atrata yukona'' (McDunnough, 1921) * ''

Xestia kolymae ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Herz, 1903) * ''

Xestia kruegeri ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' Kononenko & Schmitz, 2004 * '' Xestia laxa'' Lafontaine & Mikkola, 1998 * '' Xestia lorezi'' (type of ''Lorezia'') * '' Xestia lupa'' Lafontaine & Mikkola, 1998 * ''

Xestia penthima ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Erschoff, 1870) (type of ''Hyptioxesta'') * '' Xestia tecta'' (Hübner, 808 (type of ''Pachnobia'') ** ''Xestia tecta tecta'' (Hübner, 808 ** ''Xestia tecta tectoides'' (Corti, 1926)

Subgenus ''Schoyenia''

* ''

Xestia aequaeva ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Benjamin, 1934) ** ''Xestia aequaeva aequaeva'' (Benjamin, 1934) ** ''Xestia aequaeva glaucina'' Lafontaine & Mikkola, 1996 * '' Xestia brachiptera'' (Kononenko, 1981) * '' Xestia bryanti'' (Benjamin, 1933) (= ''X. acraea'') * ''

Xestia fergusoni ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' Lafontaine, 1983 * '' Xestia intermedia'' (Kononenko, 1981) * '' Xestia liquidaria'' (Eversmann, 1848) (= ''X. arctica'' Aurivillius, 1883 (''non'' Zetterstedt, 1839:

), ''X. fasciata, X. unifasciata''; type of ''Schoyenia'') * ''

Xestia lyngei ''Xestia lyngei'' is a species of moth belonging to the family Noctuidae. It is native to Northern Europe and Subarctic The subarctic zone is a region in the Northern Hemisphere immediately south of the true Arctic, north of humid contine ...

'' (Rebel, 1923) (type of ''Lankialaia'') ** ''Xestia lyngei lyngei'' (Rebel, 1923) ** ''Xestia lyngei aborigenea'' Kononenko, 1983 ** ''Xestia lyngei lankialai'' (Grönblom, 1962)) * '' Xestia magadanensis'' Kononenko & Lafontaine, 1983 * '' Xestia quieta'' (type of ''Archanarta'') * ''

Xestia similis ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' Kononenko 1981 * ''

Xestia thula ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family (biology), family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe (biology), tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are ...

'' Lafontaine & Kononenko, 1983 * ''

Xestia woodi ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family (biology), family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe (biology), tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are ...

'' Lafontaine & Kononenko, 1983

Subgenus ''Xestia''

''baja''/"''Amathes''" group * ''

Xestia baja ''Xestia baja'', the dotted clay, is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe, Turkey, northern Iran, Transcaucasia, the Caucasus, central Asia, Siberia, Mongolia, Tibet, China, Korea and Japan. Technical description and ...

'' – dotted clay (type of ''Amathes'') * ''

Xestia smithii ''Xestia smithii'', or Smith's dart, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Pieter Cornelius Tobias Snellen in 1896. It is found across northern North America from Newfoundland to Alaska. In the eastern United Sta ...

'' – Smith's dart (possibly belongs in ''X. baja'') ''castanea''/"''Castanasta''/''Ericathia''" group * ''

Xestia agathina ''Xestia agathina'', the heath rustic, is a moth of the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoid ...

'' – heath rustic (type of ''Ericathia'') * '' Xestia castanea'' – grey rustic, The Neglected (type of ''Castanasta'') * ''

Xestia jordani ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Turati, 1912) ''collina''/"''Monticollia''" group * ''

Xestia collina ''Xestia collina'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in the Alps, from southern France to southern Poland, Romania, from southern Finland and Estonia to the Urals, Siberia and northern Mongolia. The wingspan is 27–33 mm. Adu ...

'' (type of ''Monticollia'') ''ochreago'' group * '' Xestia ochreago'' ''sexstrigata''/"''Lytaea''" group * ''

Xestia sexstrigata The six-striped rustic (''Xestia sexstrigata'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is distributed throughout Europe apart from the far south east. This is a fairly small species with a wingspan of 36–38 mm. It has pale brown forewings ...

'' – six-striped rustic (type of ''Lytaea'') ''stigmatica''/"''Megarhomba''" group (= "''rhomboidea'' group", misidentification) * ''

Xestia sareptana ''Xestia sareptana'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of ...

'' * ''

Xestia stigmatica ''Xestia stigmatica'', the square-spotted clay, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in most of Europe, Transcaucasia, Caucasus, Kazakhstan, northern Turkey and northern Iran. The wingspan is 37–44 mm. Distinguished from other ...

'' – square-spotted clay (type of ''Megarhomba'') ''trifida''/"''Caloxestia''" group * '' Xestia trifida'' (type of ''Caloxestia'') ''xanthographa''/"''Segetia''" group * ''

Xestia cohaesa ''Xestia cohaesa'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in the eastern part of the Mediterranean basin and in the Near East and Middle East. Adults are on wing from September to November. There is one generation per year. The larvae ...

'' * ''

Xestia kermesina ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Mabille, 1869) (type of ''Palkermes'') ** ''Xestia kermesina kermesina'' (Mabille, 1869) ** ''Xestia kermesina virescens'' Turati, 1912 * '' Xestia palaestinensis'' * '' Xestia xanthographa'' – square-spot rustic (type of ''Segetia'') Species group unknown * ''

Xestia badinosis ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Grote, 1874) * ''

Xestia bolteri ''Xestia bolteri'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arct ...

'' * '' Xestia cinerascens'' (Smith, 1891) * ''

Xestia conchis ''Xestia conchis'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arct ...

'' * '' Xestia dyris'' (Zerny, 1934) (tentatively placed here) * '' Xestia finatimis'' Lafontaine, 1998 * ''

Xestia fuscostigma ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Bremer, 1861) * '' Xestia lithoplana'' Hreblay & Ronkay 1998 * '' Xestia mejiasi'' Pinker, 1961 * ''

Xestia normaniana ''Xestia normaniana'', or Norman's dart, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1874. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia across southern and central Canada to Alberta. In the ...

'' – Norman's dart * '' Xestia oblata'' (Morrison, 1875) * '' Xestia substrigata'' (Smith, 1895) * '' Xestia verniloides'' Lafontaine, 1998

''Incertae sedis''

If the affiliations of the subgenera are not very much mistaken, most remaining cases of erroneous assignment to ''Xestia'' are to be found among the species of uncertain group affiliation here; for the recently described '' X. kecskerago'' for example it was explicitly stated that placement in the present genus is tentative. Other species of unclear affiliation are so little known that even their validity remains questionable, though this group equally well seems to contain quite distinct lineages of true ''Xestia''. Also, there are some obvious species groups which do not easily fit into the subgeneric scheme above.

"''Agrotiphila''" group * '' Xestia colorado'' (Smith, 1891) (type of ''Agrotiphila'') * '' Xestia maculata'' (Smith, 1893) * '' Xestia staudingeri'' (type of ''Agrotimorpha'') "''Hypoxestia''" group * ''

Xestia dilatata ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Butler, 1879) (type of ''Hypoxestia'') ''ornata'' group * '' Xestia hypographa'' * '' Xestia ornata'' (formerly in ''Eugraphe'') "''Palaeamathes''" group * '' Xestia hoenei'' (Boursin, 1954) (type of ''Palaeamathes'') "''Paramathes''" group * ''

Xestia perigrapha ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Püngeler, 1899) (type of ''Paramathes'') ''retracta''/''tenuis'' group * '' Xestia basistriga'' Yoshimoto, 1995 * '' Xestia bifurcata'' Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 * ''

Xestia coronata ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' Hacker & Peks, 1999 * ''

Xestia destituta ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Leech, 1900) * '' Xestia forsteri'' Boursin, 1964 * '' Xestia hemitragidia'' (Boursin 1964) * ''

Xestia nyei ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family (biology), family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe (biology), tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are ...

'' Plante, 1979 (= ''X. longijuxta'') * ''

Xestia retracta ''Xestia retracta'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from Sikkim Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of ...

'' * ''

Xestia schaeferi ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' Hreblay & Ronkay, 1998 * ''

Xestia semiretracta ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' Yoshimoto, 1995 * '' Xestia subforsteri'' Hreblay, & Ronkay 1998 * ''

Xestia tenuis ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Butler 1889) * '' Xestia trifurcata'' Hacker & Peks, 1999 "Yellow hindwings" group * ''

Xestia bryocharis ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' Boursin, 1948 * ''

Xestia draesekei ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family (biology), family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe (biology), tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are ...

'' Boursin, 1948 * '' Xestia efflorescens'' * '' Xestia flavilinea'' Wileman, 1912 * ''

Xestia pseudoaccipiter ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' Boursin, 1948 * ''

Xestia semiherbida ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Walker, 1857) * '' Xestia sternecki'' Boursin, 1948 * '' Xestia triphaenoides'' Boursin, 1948 Species group unknown * '' Xestia agalma'' (Püngeler, 1900) * '' Xestia albifurca'' (Erschoff,

877 __NOTOC__ Year 877 ( DCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Summer – King Charles II ("the Bald") sets out for Italy, accompanie ...

* ''

Xestia cervina ''Xestia cervina'' is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest cou ...

'' (Moore, 1867) * ''

Xestia consanguinea ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Moore, 1881) * '' Xestia costaestriga'' (Staudinger, 1895) * '' Xestia crassipuncta'' (Wileman & West, 1928) * '' Xestia homochroma'' (Hampson 1903) * ''

Xestia isochroma ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Hampson 1903) * '' Xestia isolata'' * ''

Xestia junctura ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Moore, 1881) * '' Xestia kecskerago'' Gyulai & L.Ronkay, 2006 * '' Xestia latinigra'' (Prout, 1928) * ''

Xestia mandarina ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clays", " dar ...

'' (Leech, 1900) * '' Xestia olivascens'' (Hampson, 1894) * ''

Xestia renalis ''Xestia renalis'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in Sout ...

'' * '' Xestia rosifunda'' (Dyar, 1916) * ''

Xestia senescens ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Staudinger, 1881) (formerly in ''Eugraphe'') * ''

Xestia tamsi ''Xestia tamsi'' is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Taiwan. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777– ...

'' (Wileman & West, 1929) * ''

Xestia vidua ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths ( family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as " clays" ...

'' (Staudinger, 1892) * ''

Xestia yamanei ''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family (biology), family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe (biology), tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are ...

'' Chang, 1991

Footnotes

References

* (1996): Systematische Liste der Noctuidae Europas. (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) Systematic list of European Noctuidae" ''Neue Entomologische Nachrichten'' 36: 1-122. * (2004): Butterflies and Moths of the World, Generic Names and their Type-species &ndash
''Xestia''
Version of 5 November 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2011. * (2009): Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms &ndash

Version of 31 December 2009. Retrieved 18 January 2011. * (2003)
A revision of the Palaearctic species of the ''Eugraphe'' Hübner, [1821] 1816 generic complex. Part I. The genera ''Eugraphe'' and ''Goniographa'' (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)
(PDF) ''Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae'' 48(4): 333–374. {{Taxonbar">from=Q1305617 Noctuoidea genera Taxa named by Jacob Hübner