Euxoa (Orosagrotis) perpolita Morrison 1876

A widespread species; no obvious concerns.

Adults have been collected in Alberta in late July and August.

Newfoundland west to south central BC, south to Montana, N. Dakota and Massachusettes. In Alberta, it has been found in dry open sandy pine forest through much of the Boreal forest region, north almost to Lake Athabasca. It has also been collected in old dune habitats in the northern part of the Aspen parklands east of Edgerton, and in the arid grasslands and southern foothills.

E. perpolita belongs in the ridingsiana group of the subgenus Orosagrotis. They are medium-size moths (3.3-3.8 cm wingspan) with silky black or dark maroon forewings and smoky brown hindwings. Forewings are essentially unmarked, except for a usually indistinct black outline of the reniform and orbicular spots. The maroon form is most likely to be mistaken for dark specimens of Abagrotis brunneipennis, which may be found flying in the same habitat at the same time. Brunneipennis shares the same silky appearance, but usually has an indistinct paler terminal band, more rounded forewings, and darker hindwings.

Open dry woodlands, in particular in jackpine and aspen forest on sand.

There is a single brood each year, with the adults flying in late summer. They are attracted to light. The larvae have apparently never been described.

unknown.

Euxoa perpolita, the polished dart, is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in North America.

The MONA or Hodges number for Euxoa perpolita is 10865.