Midway Noctuid Moth

Agrotis fasciata

Agrotis fasciata is an extinct butterfly (moth ) from the family of cutworms ( Noctuidae ), which was endemic to the Midway Atoll.

Features

Agrotis fasciata reached a wingspan of 47 millimeters. The top of the front wings was light brown in color. Inner and outer transverse line were drawn clearly dark. The inner transverse line was jagged large, the outer transverse line finely serrated. Kidney and ring stain were significantly developed and slightly darker than the ground color. An indistinct means shadow ran from the inner edge, as where the outer transverse line retransmits via the kidneys blemish to the Costa. The fringes were predominantly held in the base color of the upper wing surface, the base of the fringes, however, was yellowish. The top of the rear wing was cream-colored. Inside the center was a gently undulating, narrow, black band bent on both rear wings. The bottom of the front wings was gray - buff at the base and was dark gray to the outer edge. There was a hair brown diagonal line on the apical half. The underside of the hind wing was light buff with a brown hair band, which coincided with that on the front wings. Head and neck collar ( Patagia ) were reddish brown. The thorax was gray wood brown. The abdomen was cinnamon.

Geographical distribution, habitat and behavior

Agrotis fasciata was endemic on the Midway Atoll. The Islands have a subtropical climate. About the way of life nothing is known.

Extinction

The final proof of Agrotis fasciata was against 1912. A possible cause for the extinction may have been exotic organisms that have been introduced with the aim of biological control on the Midway Atoll. During an expedition in 1994, this type could not be rediscovered. Agrotis fasciata was included in the 1986 IUCN Red List and in 1989 in the list of extinct insects of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Swell

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