Feltia jaculifera

Guenée, 1852

Dingy Cutworm Moth, Bent-line Dart, Dingy Cutworm

Feltia jaculifera, commonly known as the dingy or bent-line dart, is a widespread noctuid moth found throughout North America. are and active from July to November, often attracted to lights. The larvae are feeders known as cutworms, feeding on over forty plant including agricultural crops 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 white markings formed where lines meet the subterminal line on the forewing. Larvae identified by the four black dots on each abdominal segment. Often confused with F. herilis, F. subgothica, and F. tricosa; precise identification may require examination of genitalia 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. Larvae 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

fly from July to November. Larvae overwinter and emerge in spring.

Diet

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

Life Cycle

Complete . active mid-summer through fall. Females oviposit in flower , particularly Asteraceae. hatch into larvae 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 buds. Larvae are subterranean cutworms that feed at or below ground level.

Ecological Role

Larvae act as herbivores, consuming diverse plant 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 crops including corn, wheat, oats, tobacco, alfalfa, clover, and various vegetables. Damage caused by larvae cutting stems and feeding on roots and foliage.

Similar Taxa

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

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Sources and further reading