24-9-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM & DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia (Duponchel, 1836) is a nocturnal moth belonging to the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae. Commonly known in France as La Xyline floue, this species is primarily native to Southwest Europe and North Africa.

Physical Characteristics

• Wingspan: It features an adult wingspan of approximately 37 mm.

• Coloration: The forewings display a marbled pattern of light and dark grey tones, often accented with contrasting whitish or straw-colored patches. Darker grey coloration tends to concentrate heavily across the transverse middle third of the forewings, while the wing margins generally fade into lighter shades.

Lifecycle and Ecology

• Larvae: The caterpillars are polyphagous, meaning they feed on multiple plant species. However, they show a strong ecological preference for rockroses (Cistus).

• Habitat: It is typically found in Mediterranean shrublands, garrigues, and open woodlands where its preferred host plants thrive.

Taxonomy

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Arthropoda

• Class: Insecta

• Order: Lepidoptera

• Superfamily: Noctuoidea

• Family: Noctuidae

• Genus: Polymixis