Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Xestia dolosa Franclemont, 1980
Phylogenetic sequence # 933589
Numbers
Lafontaine & Schmidt (2010) listed 50 species of the genus
Xestia in America north of Mexico.
(1)Identification
Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD).
(3)
In The Owlet Moths of Ohio, Roy Rings writes: "The maculation of X. c-nigrum is identical to X. dolosa. The best way to separate the two species is by size. X. c-nigrum averages 6 mm (fore wing apex to apex) smaller than X. dolosa."
Range
Eastern United States; Arizona; British Columbia and Alberta records.
(4)
Food
The larva feed on crop plants such as barley, clovers, corn, and tobacco. Also reported on apple and maples.
Remarks
Considered agricultural pest.
Considered invasive in this country (from Europe). (Capinera, John L. North American Vegetable Pests. The Pattern of Invasion. American Entomologist. Spring 2002)
See Also
Lesser Black-letter Dart (
Xestia c-nigrum) is smaller but otherwise similar. In
The Owlet Moths of Ohio, Roy Rings writes: "The maculation of
X. c-nigrum is identical to
X. dolosa. The best way to separate the two species is by size.
X. c-nigrum averages 6 mm (fore wing apex to apex) smaller than
X. dolosa."
Another way to separate the two in some cases is by geographical range:
X. dolosa is
not found west of a line from Texas to North Dakota and Manitoba. See BugGuide's
c-nigrum/dolosa complex page.
Also compare other
Xestia species on the pinned plates of
Moth Photographers Group.
Print References
Lafontaine, J.D., 1998.
The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 27.3. The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation. p. 134; pl. 3.30-31.
(2)
