NONDESCRIPT DAGGER MOTH
Acronicta spinigera
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Nondescript Dagger Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.5 to 1.75 inches. The forewing is pale to medium gray with darker mottling and black markings. The orbicular spot is nearly round. The postmedian line is a jagged white line with a black line underneath. The hindwing is medium to dark gray. The caterpillar is brown with an orange dotted dorsal line and sparse light-colored hairs. The head is reddish brown. The mature caterpillar grows to approximately 1.25 to 1.75 inches long. This moth was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.
Occurrence
The Nondescript Dagger Moth is uncommon in this area. It has been photographed at Fontenelle Forest in August 2011 and 2015 and May 2012 and 2015. There are two broods a year.
Comments
The larvae have been raised in captivity on apple, elm and linden but the wild hostplants are not known. The species seems to be common in the Southern Appalachians.
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is: Babs Padelford.
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