''Xestia'' is a genus of

noctuid moth 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 the clades are constantly changing, along with the other f ...

s (

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Noctuidae). They are the

type genus In biological taxonomy, the type genus is the genus which defines a biological family and the root of the family name. Zoological nomenclature According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, "The name-bearing type of a nominal f ...

of the

tribe The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...

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 Noctuini is a tribe of owlet moths in the family Noctuidae. There are at least 520 described species in Noctuini. Noctuini genera * ''Abagrotis'' Smith, 1890 * '' Actebia'' Stephens, 1829 * '' Adelphagrotis'' Smith, 1890 * ''Agnorisma'' Lafontai ...

Species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

in this genus are commonly known as "

clays Clay is a type of fine-grained natural soil material containing clay minerals (hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates, e.g. kaolin, Al2 Si2 O5( OH)4). Clays develop plasticity when wet, due to a molecular film of water surrounding the clay par ...

", " darts" or " rustics", but such names are commonplace among Noctuidae. ''Xestia'' moths have a wide distribution, though they most prominently occur in the

Holarctic The Holarctic realm is a biogeographic realm that comprises the majority of habitats found throughout the continents in the Northern Hemisphere. It corresponds to the floristic Boreal Kingdom. It includes both the Nearctic zoogeographical region ...

. 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

latitude In geography, latitude is a coordinate that specifies the north– south position of a point on the surface of the Earth or another celestial body. Latitude is given as an angle that ranges from –90° at the south pole to 90° at the north pol ...

s and altitudes, in

tundra In physical geography, tundra () is a type of biome where tree growth is hindered by frigid temperatures and short growing seasons. The term ''tundra'' comes through Russian (') from the Kildin Sámi word (') meaning "uplands", "treeless moun ...

and

taiga Taiga (; rus, тайга́, p=tɐjˈɡa; relates to Mongolic and Turkic languages), generally referred to in North America as a boreal forest or snow forest, is a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruce ...

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) consists of all the organisms and the physical environment with which they interact. These biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Energy enters the syste ...

s. 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

pupa A pupa ( la, pupa, "doll"; plural: ''pupae'') is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation between immature and mature stages. Insects that go through a pupal stage are holometabolous: they go through four distinct stages in their ...

te 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 The setaceous Hebrew character (''Xestia c-nigrum'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is found in the Palearctic realm. It is a common specie ...

(''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.

Gymnosperm The gymnosperms ( lit. revealed seeds) are a group of seed-producing plants that includes conifers, cycads, ''Ginkgo'', and gnetophytes, forming the clade Gymnospermae. The term ''gymnosperm'' comes from the composite word in el, γυμνό� ...

s 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 core eudicots, Caryophyllales (especially

Polygonaceae The Polygonaceae are a family of flowering plants known informally as the knotweed family or smartweed—buckwheat family in the United States. The name is based on the genus ''Polygonum'', and was first used by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789 ...

) are particularly significant, of the

asterids In the APG IV system (2016) for the classification of flowering plants, the name asterids denotes a clade (a monophyletic group). Asterids is the largest group of flowering plants, with more than 80,000 species, about a third of the total floweri ...

the Asterales (especially

Asteraceae The family Asteraceae, alternatively Compositae, consists of over 32,000 known species of flowering plants in over 1,900 genera within the order Asterales. Commonly referred to as the aster, daisy, composite, or sunflower family, Compositae w ...

Ericales The Ericales are a large and diverse order of dicotyledons. Species in this order have considerable commercial importance including for Camellia sinensis, tea, persimmon, blueberry, kiwifruit, Brazil nuts, Argania, argan, and azalea. The order i ...

(especially Ericaceae) and Lamiales (especially

Plantaginaceae Plantaginaceae, the plantain family, is a large, diverse family of flowering plants in the order Lamiales that includes common flowers such as snapdragon and foxglove. It is unrelated to the banana-like fruit also called "plantain." In older cl ...

), and of the

rosids The rosids are members of a large clade (monophyletic group) of flowering plants, containing about 70,000 species, more than a quarter of all angiosperms. The clade is divided into 16 to 20 orders, depending upon circumscription and classificatio ...

the Malpighiales (numerous families) and

Rosales Rosales () is an order of flowering plants. Peter F. Stevens (2001 onwards). "Rosales". At: Trees At: Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. At: Missouri Botanical Garden Website. (see ''External links'' below) It is sister to a clade consisting of Faga ...

(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 The Solanales are an order of flowering plants, included in the asterid group of dicotyledons. Some older sources used the name Polemoniales for this order. Taxonomy Under the older Cronquist system, the latter three families were placed else ...

, 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 Sapindales is an order of flowering plants. Well-known members of Sapindales include citrus; maples, horse-chestnuts, lychees and rambutans; mangos and cashews; frankincense and myrrh; mahogany and neem. The APG III system of 2009 includes it ...

. 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 In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout t ...

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, 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'', ''

Hemigraphiphora ''Hemigraphiphora'' is a monotypic genus of moths of the family Noctuidae. It is here provisionally treated as separate from ''Xestia'', though it seems closely related. Containing only the single species ''H. plebeia'', its closest living relati ...

'' 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 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. ...

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 In philology, a lapsus (Latin for "lapse, slip, error") is an involuntary mistake made while writing or speaking. Investigations In 1895 an investigation into verbal slips was undertaken by a philologist and a psychologist, Rudolf Meringer and K ...

'') * ''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 complex In biology, a species complex is a group of closely related organisms that are so similar in appearance and other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. The taxa in the complex may be able to hybridize readily with each oth ...

es. 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'' – northern dart (type of ''Xenopachnobia'') * ''

Xestia badicollis ''Xestia badicollis'', the northern variable dart, northern conifer dart or white pine cutworm when referring to the larval stage, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is foun ...

'' – 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 dilucida ''Xestia dilucida'', the dull reddish dart or reddish heath dart, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Herbert Knowles Morrison in 1875. It is found in the United States from southern Maine to northern Florida, w ...

'' – dull reddish dart, reddish heath dart * '' Xestia distensa'' (Eversmann, 1851) (sometimes in ''X. laetabilis'') * ''

Xestia elimata ''Xestia elimata'', the southern variable dart or variable climbing caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in the eastern part of North America, including Georgia, ...

'' – southern variable dart, variable climbing caterpillar * '' Xestia fabulosa'' (Ferguson, 1965) * ''

Xestia fennica ''Xestia fennica'' 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 ...

'' (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 follow ...

'' (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 ...

'' (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 ''Xestia infimatis'' is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880 and is found in North America. The MONA or Hodges number for ''Xestia infimatis'' is List of moths of North Am ...

'' 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 ''Xestia praevia'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Canada (New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) south to California. It is part of the ''elimata'' species group. Three of the species in th ...

'' (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 found ...

'' (type of ''Synanomogyna'') * ''

Xestia sincera ''Xestia sincera'' is a moth in the family Noctuidae. Its 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 777–200 has a wingspan of , and a wande ...

'' (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'' 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 ''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 ...

'' (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 MONA or Hodges number for ''Xestia okakensis'' is List of moths of North America, 10939. Subspecies These two subspecies belong to the species ''Xestia okake ...

'' Packard, 1867 ** ''Xestia okakensis okakensis'' Packard, 1867 ** ''Xestia okakensis morandi'' (Benjamin, 1934) (sometimes considered distinct species) * '' Xestia scropulana'' Morrison, 1874 (formerly in ''X. wockei'') * '' Xestia wockei'' ''kollari'' group * ''

Xestia kollari ''Xestia kollari'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from the southern Urals to the Amur Region, northern Mongolia, Korea, Japan as well as from China, Ussuri and Kamchatka. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird ...

'' ''c-nigrum'' group * ''

Xestia c-nigrum The setaceous Hebrew character (''Xestia c-nigrum'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae''. It is found in the Palearctic realm. It is a common specie ...

'' – setaceous Hebrew character, "spotted cutworm" (type of ''Cenigria'') * '' Xestia ditrapezium'' – 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'' (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'' (Herz, 1903) * '' Xestia kruegeri'' Kononenko & Schmitz, 2004 * ''

Xestia laxa ''Xestia laxa'' 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 Noctuo ...

'' Lafontaine & Mikkola, 1998 * '' Xestia lorezi'' (type of ''Lorezia'') * '' Xestia lupa'' Lafontaine & Mikkola, 1998 * '' Xestia penthima'' (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 ''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 ...

'' (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 ''Xestia quieta'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from northern Scandinavia, northern Siberia and northern North America (including Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Manitoba). The wingspan is 25–29 mm. Adults ...

'' (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 State ...

'' – Smith's dart (possibly belongs in ''X. baja'') ''castanea''/"''Castanasta''/''Ericathia''" group * '' Xestia agathina'' – 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 :''The ''Phalaena (Noctua) ochreago'' invalidly described by Esper in 1791 is '' Tiliacea citrago. ''Xestia ochreago'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. Description ''Xestia ochreago'' has a wingspan of 37–39 mm. The forewings are ba ...

'' ''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. It is known from few localities in the European part of south-eastern Russia, Turkey, the Caucasus region, western Iran, Lebanon and Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ...

'' * ''

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'' (Mabille, 1869) (type of ''Palkermes'') ** ''Xestia kermesina kermesina'' (Mabille, 1869) ** ''Xestia kermesina virescens'' Turati, 1912 * '' Xestia palaestinensis'' * ''

Xestia xanthographa The square-spot rustic (''Xestia xanthographa'') is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found in Europe, North Africa and east across the Palearctic (excluding China) and in North America. The species is quite variable in appearance, the for ...

'' – 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 cinerascens ''Xestia cinerascens'' 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 superfami ...

'' (Smith, 1891) * ''

Xestia conchis ''Xestia conchis'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from North America, including Arizona, Utah and Colorado. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other win ...

'' * ''

Xestia dyris ''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", "dart ...

'' (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 ''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", "dart ...

'' 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 ''Xestia colorado'' 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 ...

'' (Smith, 1891) (type of ''Agrotiphila'') * ''

Xestia maculata ''Xestia maculata'' is an owlet moth species found in North America, where it has been recorded from western Canada and Montana. It inhabits open alpine tundra Alpine tundra is a type of natural region or biome that does not contain trees be ...

'' (Smith, 1893) * '' Xestia staudingeri'' (type of ''Agrotimorpha'') "''Hypoxestia''" group * '' Xestia dilatata'' (Butler, 1879) (type of ''Hypoxestia'') ''ornata'' group * ''

Xestia hypographa ''Xestia hypographa'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is only known from the north-western part of the Tien-Shan Mountains. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the othe ...

'' * ''

Xestia ornata ''Xestia ornata'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from the northern Tien-Shan Mountains through the Pamirs and Hissar- Darwaz system to eastern Afghanistan (Nuristan). The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an ...

'' (formerly in ''Eugraphe'') "''Palaeamathes''" group * ''

Xestia hoenei ''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", "dart ...

'' (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'' Hacker & Peks, 1999 * '' Xestia destituta'' (Leech, 1900) * ''

Xestia forsteri ''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 ...

'' 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", "darts ...

'' 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 ''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 ...

'' Hacker & Peks, 1999 "Yellow hindwings" group * '' Xestia bryocharis'' Boursin, 1948 * '' Xestia draesekei'' Boursin, 1948 * ''

Xestia efflorescens ''Xestia efflorescens'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is known from eastern Asia, the Amur Region, Korea and Japan. The wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other win ...

'' * '' Xestia flavilinea'' Wileman, 1912 * '' Xestia pseudoaccipiter'' 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 ''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 ...

'' Boursin, 1948 * ''

Xestia triphaenoides ''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 Species group unknown * ''

Xestia agalma ''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, 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 (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 ...

'' (Moore, 1881) * '' Xestia costaestriga'' (Staudinger, 1895) * ''

Xestia crassipuncta ''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 ...

'' (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 isolata'' is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is endemic to Borneo. External links Species info
Xestia Moths of Asia {{Xestia-stub ...

'' * ''

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 ''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 ...

'' Gyulai & L.Ronkay, 2006 * ''

Xestia latinigra ''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 ...

'' (Prout, 1928) * '' Xestia mandarina'' (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'' (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'' (Staudinger, 1892) * ''

Xestia yamanei ''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", "dart ...

'' 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