Xestia tecta is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. In Europe, the species is only known from the boreal area of Fennoscandia, north-western Russia and the northern Ural Mountains. Outside of Europe it occurs in northern and central Siberia and the north-western USA including Alaska as well as north-western and central Canada.
The wingspan is 32–41 mm. Adults are on wing from July to August. Males are nocturnal, and females are active in the afternoon. The larvae are reddish brown, and have a white lateral band. The species takes two years to reach maturity.
The larvae feed on dwarf birch (Betula nana), and hardwood shrubs such as huckleberries in the genus Vaccinium.
Subspecies Xestia tecta tecta Xestia tecta tectoides (Corti, 1926) (Labrador)
References
Michael Fibiger: Noctuinae II. In: W. G. Tremewan (Editor.): Noctuidae Europaeae, Vol. 2, Entomological Press, Sorø 1993, page 155/156,
External links
Fauna Europaea