Euxoa tessellata

Harris, 1841

tessellate dart, striped cutworm

Euxoa tessellata, commonly known as the tessellate dart or striped , is a recognized as the most widespread Euxoa in North America. The has a wingspan of 30–38 mm and is active from June to September. Its are known agricultural pests that feed on , garden , and the leaves of apple, cherry, and pear trees. The species forms the tessellata group with E. plagigera, with which it can hybridize in laboratory conditions, though resulting offspring are sterile.

CATALOGUE-BM-LXV by Sir GEORGE F. HAMPSON, Bart.. Used under a Public domain license.

Euxoa tessellata by J.Gill, Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

CATALOGUE-BM-LXVI by Sir GEORGE F. HAMPSON, Bart.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Euxoa tessellata: /juˈksɔ.a tɛsɛˈlɑːta/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The tessellata group in North America contains two : E. tessellata and E. plagigera. These species are dissimilar in appearance but related by genital features. They can be distinguished from each other by morphological differences, though specific diagnostic characters are not detailed in available sources.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 30–38 mm. Specific coloration and pattern details are not provided in available sources.

Distribution

Found from Newfoundland to Alaska. In western North America, the range extends south to California, Arizona, and New Mexico. In eastern North America, it extends south to Florida. The appears to be absent from Texas and adjacent eastern states. Distribution records include Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in Canada, and Vermont in the United States.

Seasonality

are on from June to September.

Diet

feed on , various garden , and the leaves of apple, cherry, and pear.

Host Associations

tobacco - larval
apple - larval leaves consumed
cherry - larval leaves consumed
pear - larval leaves consumed
various garden crops - larval

Human Relevance

The are agricultural pests of and various garden , as well as fruit trees including apple, cherry, and pear.

Similar Taxa

Euxoa plagigeraForms the tessellata group with E. tessellata; the two are dissimilar in appearance but related by genital features and can hybridize in laboratory conditions, producing sterile offspring.

More Details

Hybridization

Euxoa tessellata and E. plagigera will hybridize in laboratory conditions, but the resulting offspring are sterile.