RUDDY DAGGER MOTH
Acronicta rubricoma
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Ruddy Dagger Moth has a wingspan of about 1.75 inches. The forewing is light gray-brown. It has double Am and PM lines. The reniform spot is gray with a dark gray ring around it and is usually more distinct than on other dagger moths. The hindwing is whitish with gray shading. This moth was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website. The larva grows to about 1.50 inches. It appears to be a tussock moth mimic. It has yellowish or tan hairs and a black dorsal stripe. It has middorsal hair tufts on A1 to A5 and A8. The head is shiny black.
Occurrence
This moth is probably uncommon in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It was photographed in mid-July 2012 at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.
Comments
The larva prefer the leaves of hackberry trees. They are reported to eat elm leaves but that is probably only in forests where there are no hackberry trees.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Babs Padelford.
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