Xestia elimata
{{Short description|Species of moth}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| taxon = Xestia elimata
| authority = Guenée, 1852{{check|date=January 2011}}
| synonyms = *Anomogyna 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, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland and New England.
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
- {{cite book |first1=David L. |last1=Wagner |first2=Dale F. |last2=Schweitzer |first3=J. Bolling |last3=Sullivan |first4=Richard C. |last4=Reardon |name-list-style=amp |date=2011 |title=Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0691150420}}
- {{cite web |last1=Lotts |first1=Kelly |last2=Naberhaus |first2=Thomas |name-list-style=amp |date=2017 |url=https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Xestia-elimata |title=Xestia elimata (Guenée, 1852) |website=Butterflies and Moths of North America |access-date=March 24, 2020}}
- {{cite web |last=Maxwell |first=John R. |date=October 1, 2016 |url=https://bugguide.net/node/view/232367 |title=Species Xestia elimata - Southern Variable Dart - Hodges#10967 |website=BugGuide |access-date=March 24, 2020}}
- [http://www.forestpests.org/caterpillars/variableclimbingcat.cfm "Variable Climbing Caterpillar (Xestia elimata)"] BugwoodWiki. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
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Category:Moths of North America
Category:Moths described in 1852
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