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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Noctuidae 933572 – 10944   Xestia smithii (Snellen, 1896)              Smith's Dart

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Larva and Host Plants: Host familiy: Betulaceae Brassicaceae Adoxaceae[Caprifoliaceae] Caryophyllaceae Asteraceae Elaeagnaceae Ericaceae Melanthiaceae[Liliaceae] Passifloraceae Poaceae Polygonaceae Solanaceae Rosaceae Violaceae Vitaceae...  Host genera: Alnus Aster[unresolved] Atropa Betula Brassica Digitaria Elaeagnus Fragaria Malus Passiflora Prunus Rubus Rumex Sambucus Solidago Stellaria Vaccinium Veratrum Viola Vitis.  Notes: polyphagous on herbs & shrubs (Poole 1989); broad generalist on hardwoods & herbaceous plants (Crabo et al 2014); wide variety of broad-leaved trees, shrubs & perennial herbs (Powell & Opler 2009).  (Shropshire & Douglas 2025) Similar Species: Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.) Synonymy: smithii (Snellen, 1896) (Agrotis) - MONA 1983: 10944 baja of authors; (not [Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) (Noctua) misappl.

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Lafontaine, J. D., 1998. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 27.3: p. 115; pl. 2.36-37. order or free PDF Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 58.18f; p. 315. Book Review and ordering Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Block Island Moths Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths Species Page at iNaturalist

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