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''Xestia'' is a genus of noctuid moths (family Noctuidae). They are the type genus of the tribe Xestiini in subfamily Noctuinae, though some authors merge this tribe with the Noctuini. Species in this genus are commonly known as "clay", "dart" or "rustic", but such names are commonplace among Noctuidae. ''Xestia'' moths have a wide distribution, though they most prominently occur in the Holarctic. With almost 200 species included at one time, ''Xestia'' was something of a "wastebin genus". But almost half of the traditional species are nowadays placed elsewhere (see below), and some of the remaining ones are liable to be assigned to another genus also. On the other hand, new moths that probably in fact belong into this genus are still being discovered regularly or so (e.g. ''X. hypographa'', which led to the 2002 transfer of ''X. ornata'' from ''Eugraphe'' to here). Thus, unless there are drastic taxonomic changes in the future, ''Xestia'' is likely to remain one of the larger noctuine genera.〔Varga & Ronkay (2003), Pitkin & Jenkins (2004), and see references in Savela (2009)〕 ==Ecology== ''Xestia'' adults are usually of medium size and robust build, with stout hairy bodies and strong wings. Some are quite colorful moths, with bold lighter markings and hindwings in delicate yellowish, reddish or bluish hues. Generally, they are cryptic while at rest however, with unmarked pale or dull brownish hindwings; they do not have metallic hues and few species possess obvious eyespots.〔See references in Savela (2009)〕 This genus includes many species living at high latitudes and altitudes, in tundra and taiga ecosystems. Some have two-year (semivoltine) life-cycles and only occur as adults every other year; typically the caterpillar larva overwinters to pupate in spring, with the moths flying around midsummer, but some species eclose later, their moths flying from late summer into autumn. ''Xestia'' caterpillars are generally stout and cryptically colored; in some species they have quite prominent dark lengthwise spots, but may e.g. be entirely green or whatever else gives best camouflage.〔 Some species' larvae are notoriously polyphagous, e.g. those the Setaceous Hebrew Character (''X. c-nigrum'') whose food includes all sorts of core eudicots – including Solanaceae and others which are poisonous to many herbivores – as well as some monocots. The latter are mainly Poaceae however, and few other monocots are utilized by ''Xestia'' larvae in general. Ericaceae, as well as Betulaceae and Poaceae, are key foodplants for many of the high-latitude species. Gymnosperms are foodplants of secondary importance in this genus, but Pinaceae form the mainstay or exclusive food of some species which occasionally become more than nuisance pests. Altogether, ''Xestia'' moths are only known as major pests within limited areas or in regard to specific plants, in which cases damage can be economically significant though.〔 Even though the larval foodplants of many ''Xestia'' species are not or insufficiently known, those on record are from all major lineages of core eudicots. Among the basal core eudicots, Caryophyllales (especially Polygonaceae) are particularly significant, of the asterids the Asterales (especially Asteraceae), Ericales (especially Ericaceae) and Lamiales (especially Plantaginaceae), and of the rosids the Malpighiales (numerous families) and Rosales (especially Rosaceae). Less important asterid orders among ''Xestia'' foodplants are for example Dipsacales, Gentianales and Solanales, of the rosids e.g. Fabales, Fagales, Malvales, Myrtales and Sapindales. More basal (mes)angiosperms do not seem to be significant as ''Xestia'' foodplants, at least not in temperate and cooler regions.〔 As far as is known, ''Xestia'' adults are nocturnal or crepuscular (except of course the high-latitude species), but often attracted to lights at night. They general feed on flowers with relatively short or no corolla, and will also drink other sugary liquids.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Xestia」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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