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, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland and New England.
| Xestia elimata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Xestia |
| Species: | X. elimata
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| Binomial name | |
| Xestia elimata Guenée, 1852[verification needed]
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| Synonyms | |
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It is part of the elimata species group. Three species in this group (Xestia praevia, Xestia elimata and Xestia badicollis) have no significant difference in their genitals nor DNA, suggesting they may be a single species.
This wingspan is about 42 mm. The moth flies from September to October depending on the location. There is one generation per year.
The larva feeds on Pinus species, including pitch, red and other hard pines.
References edit
- Wagner, David L.; Schweitzer, Dale F.; Sullivan, J. Bolling & Reardon, Richard C. (2011). Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0691150420.
- Lotts, Kelly & Naberhaus, Thomas (2017). "Xestia elimata (Guenée, 1852)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- Maxwell, John R. (October 1, 2016). "Species Xestia elimata - Southern Variable Dart - Hodges#10967". BugGuide. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- "Variable Climbing Caterpillar (Xestia elimata)" BugwoodWiki. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
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