Xanthopastis regnatrix explained

Xanthopastis regnatrix, the Spanish moth or convict caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It occurs in the United States, where it is found from North Carolina to Texas and south to Florida. Strays have been recorded as far north as coastal New York, and inland as far north as Kentucky.^[1]

Taxonomy

The species known as Xanthopastis timais is now recognized as a species complex. The name for the species in eastern United States is Xanthopastis regnatrix (Type locality: Pennsylvania).^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Spanish moth. June 2002. Featured creatures. University of Florida. 2022-12-21. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20220126153157/http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/orn/flowers/spanish_moth.htm. 2022-01-26.
2. Additions and corrections to the check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico. 24 November 2011. 3234417. Lafontaine. J. D.. Schmidt. B. C.. ZooKeys. 149. 145–161. 10.3897/zookeys.149.1805. 22207802. free.