Anicla infecta

Adults can be distinguished from similar noctuine moths by the combination of moderate size (30–35 mm wingspan), gray-brown forewings with subtle patterning, and pale hindwings. The species is most reliably identified by geographic location within its eastern North American range and flight period (June–September). Larvae are recognized by their green coloration and cutworm habit of cutting seedlings at the soil surface. Similar species such as Agrotis ipsilon (Ipsilon Dart) have more contrasting forewing patterns and different seasonal peaks.

Found in open habitats including agricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, and disturbed areas. Larvae occur in soil or at the soil surface among herbaceous vegetation. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to artificial light sources in residential and rural settings.

Native to the Americas. Range extends from southeastern Canada (Nova Scotia, Quebec) through the eastern United States, continuing south through Central America to Uruguay and Brazil.

Adults are on wing from June to September, with exact timing varying by latitude. In northern portions of the range, the flight period is concentrated in mid-summer; southern populations may have extended or multiple flight periods.

Larvae feed on beets (Beta vulgaris), various grasses (Poaceae), and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Adults have been observed feeding at flowers and serve as pollinators of fetterbush lyonia (Lyonia lucida).

• Beta vulgaris - larval food plantbeets
• Poaceae - larval food plantgrasses
• Nicotiana tabacum - larval food planttobacco
• Lyonia lucida - adult nectar sourcefetterbush lyonia; pollination documented

Complete metamorphosis with four stages: egg, larva (green cutworm), pupa, and adult. Larvae are soil-dwelling cutworms that feed at or below the soil surface. Pupation occurs in soil. Adults emerge in summer and are nocturnal. Specific details of voltinism (number of generations per year) vary by region and have not been precisely documented.

Adults are strongly attracted to blacklight and other artificial light sources at night. Larvae exhibit classic cutworm behavior: remaining hidden in soil during daylight hours and emerging at night to feed, often severing plant stems at the soil surface. Adults have been documented as flower visitors.

Larvae function as herbivores in agricultural and natural grassland ecosystems, with documented economic impact on crops. Adults contribute to pollination of flowering shrubs, specifically documented for fetterbush lyonia. The species serves as prey for various nocturnal predators including bats, birds, and predatory insects.

Larvae are recognized agricultural pests, particularly damaging to beet and tobacco crops through their stem-cutting feeding behavior. The species is commonly encountered by entomologists and naturalists due to its attraction to blacklight traps, making it a frequent subject of citizen science observations.

• Agrotis ipsilonSimilar size and habitat; distinguished by more contrasting forewing pattern with distinct reniform and orbicular spots, and different peak flight period
• Other Anicla speciesGenus members share general morphology; precise identification often requires examination of genitalia or geographic range constraints

• noctuid moth
• cutworm
• agricultural pest
• blacklight attracted
• pollinator
• North America
• South America
• Noctuinae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Bug Eric: Last Night to Blacklight?