OCHRE DAGGER MOTH
Acronicta morula
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Ochre Dagger Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.75 to 2 inches. The forewing is pale to dark gray with a pale ochre patch in the center of the thorax and pale ochre reniform spots. There are 2 black dashes (daggers) on the lower section of the wing, the anal dash and the basal dash. There are also pale-yellow-orange areas around the basal dash and beyond the postmedian line. The hindwing is grayish-brown with a dark smudged discal spot. All wings have black terminal spots. The caterpillar has 2 completely distinct forms. The instar preceding the last instar is green with 4 yellow-edged brown spots. The last instar is brown, black and white with gray tufts of hair. The head is black on the sides with a pale triangle with red spots over each lobe. It grows to a length of approximately 1.5 inches.
Occurrence
The frequency of occurrence is not known. The individual shown here was photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in early August.
Comments
The larvae of the Ochre Dagger Moth prefer the leaves of elm, but will also eat basswood, apple and hawthorn.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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