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

22-10-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCI - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Lepidoptera of the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae . It is a regular visitor in Valencia.

It has a wingspan of about 37 mm. It usually has light and dark gray tones with whitish or straw-colored areas. The dark gray tones are usually more concentrated in the transverse median third of the anterior part of the forewing, while the margins are usually lighter.

Its caterpillars are polyphagous although they seem to prefer Cistus.

Atlanto-Mediterranean. Restricted European distribution, from the Iberian Peninsula to northern Italy. In France, present in the Mediterranean zone, it goes up to Saône-et-Loire, but is absent from Corsica. Of variable habitus, this thermophilic noctuid frequents scrubland and calcareous lawns, up to 1500 m altitude. The caterpillar feeds on Cistus , Rumex , Taraxacum , and other low plants and shrubs.

No protection and/or heritage status for this species.

1-10-2025 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM AND DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Lepidoptera of the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae . It is a regular visitor in Valencia.

It has a wingspan of about 37 mm. It usually has light and dark gray tones with whitish or straw-colored areas. The dark gray tones are usually more concentrated in the transverse median third of the anterior part of the forewing, while the margins are usually lighter.

Its caterpillars are polyphagous although they seem to prefer Cistus.

Atlanto-Mediterranean. Restricted European distribution, from the Iberian Peninsula to northern Italy. In France, present in the Mediterranean zone, it goes up to Saône-et-Loire, but is absent from Corsica. Of variable habitus, this thermophilic noctuid frequents scrubland and calcareous lawns, up to 1500 m altitude. The caterpillar feeds on Cistus , Rumex , Taraxacum , and other low plants and shrubs.

No protection and/or heritage status for this species.

4-10-2022 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM & DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/466318-Polymixis-dubia

19-10-2019 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM & DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Lepidoptera of the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae .

It has a wingspan of about 37 mm. It usually has light and dark gray tones with whitish or straw-colored areas. The dark gray tones are usually more concentrated in the transverse median third of the anterior part of the forewing, while the margins are usually lighter.

Its caterpillars are polyphagous although they seem to prefer Cistus.

10-10-2018 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - CUTWORM & DART MOTH (Polymixis dubia)

Polymixis dubia is a Lepidoptera of the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae . 

It has a wingspan of about 37 mm. It usually has light and dark gray tones with whitish or straw-colored areas. The dark gray tones are usually more concentrated in the transverse median third of the anterior part of the forewing, while the margins are usually lighter.

Its caterpillars are polyphagous although they seem to prefer Cistus.

Polymixis dubia is a Lepidoptera of the family Noctuidae and the subfamily Noctuinae . 

It has a wingspan of about 37 mm. It usually has light and dark gray tones with whitish or straw-colored areas. The dark gray tones are usually more concentrated in the transverse median third of the anterior part of the forewing, while the margins are usually lighter.

Its caterpillars are polyphagous although they seem to prefer Cistus.