Acronicta

Ochsenheimer, 1816

Dagger Moths

Species Guides

76

Acronicta is a of approximately 150 noctuid distributed primarily in the temperate Holarctic, with some species extending into adjacent subtropical regions. are medium-sized moths commonly known as dagger moths due to distinctive black dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of most species; some species display a conspicuous dark ring marking instead. The genus was established by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

Acronicta lepusculina by (c) christine123, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by christine123. Used under a CC-BY license.Acronicta quadrata by (c) Doug Macaulay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Doug Macaulay. Used under a CC-BY license.Acronicta quadrata by no rights reserved, uploaded by Allan Harris. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acronicta: /ˌækrəˈnɪktə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Most Acronicta can be recognized by one or more black dagger-shaped markings on the forewing uppersides. Some species exhibit a dark ring marking rather than dagger shapes. The are naked and without eyelashes. The is fully developed. are simple in both sexes. The and lack tufts, though the abdomen has long coarse hair on the part of segments. Legs are spineless. Forewings have non-crenulate cilia with the inner margin slightly lobed towards the base.

Images

Distribution

Primarily temperate Holarctic, with some in adjacent subtropical regions. Specific distribution varies by species; for example, Acronicta betulae (Birch Dagger moth) is widespread in the eastern United States with western range limits in eastern Kansas.

Host Associations

  • Box elder (Acer negundo) - larval Acronicta americana caterpillars abundant in vicinity of box elder trees
  • River Birch (Betula nigra) - larval tree for Acronicta betulae caterpillars; suspected alternative hosts may exist where River Birch is absent
  • Black cherry (Prunus serotina) - larval Foliage of Prunus serotina documented as for Acronicta radcliffei caterpillars

Ecological Role

Acronicta serve as for diverse , functioning as nodes that connect to higher . Documented parasitoids include braconid wasps (Glyptapanteles liparidis, Microplitis spp., Cotesia spp., Meteorus pulchricornis), ichneumonid wasps (Diadegma spp., Hyposoter didymator, Theronia atalantae), eulophid (Elasmus japonicus, Pediobius spp.), pteromalids (Pteromalus puparum), chalcidids (Brachymeria lasus), and tachinid flies (Compsilura concinnata, Exorista spp., Euexorista spp., Pseudoperichaeta nigrolineata). Some parasitoids are gregarious (G. liparidis) while others are solitary.

Human Relevance

Caterpillars of most Acronicta are conspicuous and often feed visibly on common foliate trees. The brightly colored hairy spikes on larvae may contain substances that cause itchy, painful, swollen rash in humans upon contact. Acronicta alni (Alder ) has been subject to sequencing research.

Similar Taxa

  • Megalopygidae (flannel moths)Both have caterpillars with hairy, venomous setae that can cause skin irritation in humans; however, flannel caterpillars are typically more densely covered in soft, woolly hair rather than the brightly colored spiky projections of Acronicta
  • Limacodidae (slug moths)Both are noctuid-related with caterpillars possessing stinging or irritating setae; slug caterpillars have distinctive slug-like, reduced-legged form rather than the cylindrical shape with prominent hairy spikes of Acronicta larvae

Tags

Sources and further reading