Feltia jaculifera

Guenée, 1852

Dingy Cutworm Moth, Bent-line Dart, Dingy Cutworm

Feltia jaculifera, commonly known as the dingy or bent- dart, is a widespread found throughout North America. are and active from July to November, often attracted to lights. The are feeders known as cutworms, feeding on over forty including agricultural and garden vegetables. The species is frequently confused with three : F. herilis, F. subgothica, and F. tricosa.

Feltia jaculifera 01 by CBG Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. Used under a CC0 license.Feltia jaculifera 1 by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.Feltia jaculifera P1110328a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Feltia jaculifera: //ˈfɛl.ti.ə dʒəˌkjuː.lɪˈfɛr.ə//

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Identification

distinguished from similar Feltia by the W-shaped markings formed where meet the subterminal line on the . identified by the four black dots on each abdominal . Often confused with F. herilis, F. subgothica, and F. tricosa; precise identification may require examination of or molecular methods.

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Habitat

Fields, gardens, waste areas, and open . found nectaring and resting on composite flowers in late afternoon in arid regions. occur in soil and ground-level vegetation.

Distribution

Common throughout North America. Documented from Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan) and the United States (including Vermont and widespread across the continent).

Seasonality

from July to November. overwinter and emerge in spring.

Diet

feed on more than forty including alfalfa, aster, blueberry, chickweed, clover, corn, dock, flax, goldenrod, garden vegetables, grasses, mullein, oats, raspberry, rye, , and wheat.

Life Cycle

. active mid-summer through fall. Females oviposit in flower , particularly Asteraceae. hatch into that overwinter in soil, emerging in spring to feed. Larvae feed on diverse plants before pupating.

Behavior

, attracted to lights. In arid areas, adults nectar and rest on composite flowers during late afternoon. Females oviposit in flower . are subterranean that feed at or below ground level.

Ecological Role

act as , consuming diverse material. serve as when nectaring. Serves as for ichneumon Ceratogastra ornata, which oviposits in or early larval stages.

Human Relevance

Agricultural and garden pest due to larval feeding damage on including corn, wheat, oats, , alfalfa, clover, and various vegetables. Damage caused by cutting stems and feeding on roots and foliage.

Similar Taxa

  • Feltia herilisSimilar dark pattern; distinguished by subtle differences in markings and
  • Feltia subgothicaOverlapping range and similar appearance; requires careful examination of patterns or for separation
  • Feltia tricosaFrequently confused with F. jaculifera; differences in pattern details and

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Sources and further reading