Xanthia togata

Pink-barred sallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Xanthia
Species: X. togata
Binomial name
Xanthia togata
Esper, 1788

Xanthia togata, the pink-barred sallow, is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found throughout Europe and east through the Palearctic to Central Asia, and Siberia up to the Ussuri. It is a Holarctic species, the distribution area includes the United States and Canada. The wingspan is 27–30 mm. The length of the forewings is 13–16 mm. The ground colour of the forewings is deep yellow. There is a purple, variable in width median fascia extending from the costa. Antemedian and post median lines are reduced to purple dots. The irregular subterminal line is also reduced to a series of small dark dots. The hindwings are pale yellowish white, darker in the outer field. Very similar to Xanthia icteritia but the median fascia is complete and togata is distinguished from the icteritia by the purple pigmentation of the head and shoulders.

Technical description and variation

For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.

Forewing deep yellow, the markings purplish brown; a blotch on costa beyond basal line; inner line wavy, interrupted; median shade curved, interrupted; outer line double, lunulate dentate, the space including median and outer lines shaded with purplish; orbicular stigma yellow, marked only by one or two reddish points; reniform yellow with its upper part slightly and its lower completely marked with purplish; the interval between the stigmata a purplish blotch; submarginal line indicated only by purplish spots; fringe yellow chequered with purplish; hindwing yellowish white, more yellow along termen, often showing a dark grey outer line; ochreago Bkh. [Type] differs only in having a red central band instead of the purplish brown one, —in togata Esp. [Type] the median and double outer lines remain clear without any dark suffusion.[1]

Biology

The moth flies from August to October depending on the location.

Larva brownish grey, dotted with red and yellow; dorsal line pale, with darker edges, but obscure; spiracular line broadly pale. The larvae feed on willow and poplar, at first in the catkins, then in united leaves, but in a later stage also various herbaceous plants.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Seitz, A. Ed., 1914 Die Großschmetterlinge der Erde, Verlag Alfred Kernen, Stuttgart Band 3: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen eulenartigen Nachtfalter, 1914
  2. ↑ "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London.".
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