Acronicta
Guides
Acronicta afflicta
afflicted dagger moth
Acronicta afflicta, commonly known as the afflicted dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species found across eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 36 mm and are active from May to September depending on location. The species is notable for its larval association with oak species (Quercus), distinguishing it ecologically from related dagger moths.
Acronicta albarufa
Barrens dagger moth
Acronicta albarufa, the barrens dagger moth, is a nocturnal noctuid moth with a fragmented distribution across North America. Adults are typically 3.0–3.5 cm in length and active from June to August, with some populations producing a partial second brood. The species is strongly associated with oak and pine barren habitats, particularly pitch pine–bear oak communities in the Northeast and oak savannahs in the western and southern portions of its range. It is listed as a species of special concern in Connecticut and believed extirpated there.
Acronicta albarufa exempta
Acronicta albarufa exempta is a subspecies of dagger moth in the family Noctuidae. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, a diverse group of moths commonly known as dagger moths due to the dagger-like markings on their forewings. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the species A. albarufa. Like other Acronicta species, it undergoes complete metamorphosis with caterpillar and adult moth stages.
Acronicta betulae
birch dagger moth, River Birch Dagger
Acronicta betulae, commonly known as the birch dagger moth or River Birch Dagger, is a noctuid moth native to eastern North America. Adults are characterized by a distinctive wing appearance described as resembling two layers on the forewings. The species exhibits bivoltine flight periods in spring and late summer. Larvae are specialized feeders on birch leaves, with Betula nigra (river birch) documented as a primary host.
Acronicta browni
Acronicta browni is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, described by Mustelin and Leuschner in 2000. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, commonly known as dagger moths, characterized by distinctive dark dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of many species. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from California. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a typical noctuid life cycle with nocturnal adult activity.
Acronicta cryptica
Cryptic Oak Dagger
Acronicta cryptica, commonly known as the Cryptic Oak Dagger, is a species of moth in the family Noctuidae. As a member of the dagger moth genus Acronicta, it shares the characteristic forewing pattern elements typical of this group, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented. The species epithet 'cryptica' suggests a concealing or camouflaged appearance. Available records are sparse, with limited observational data documenting its occurrence.
Acronicta dolli
Doll's Dagger, Doll's dagger moth
Acronicta dolli is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by William Barnes and James Halliday McDunnough in 1918. It is native to North America and is commonly known as Doll's Dagger or Doll's dagger moth. The species belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a group characterized by caterpillars with distinctive hair tufts or projections. The MONA or Hodges number for this species is 9277.
Acronicta exilis
exiled dagger moth, Lesser Oak Dagger
Acronicta exilis is a noctuid moth commonly known as the exiled dagger moth or Lesser Oak Dagger. It is native to eastern North America, with documented populations in Iowa, New York, Maryland, Arkansas, Delaware, and Manitoba. The species is associated with oak habitats, as its larvae feed on Quercus species. Like other dagger moths, it likely exhibits typical noctuid life history traits including nocturnal adult activity and complete metamorphosis.
Acronicta fallax
Green Marvel, Green Marvel Moth
Acronicta fallax, commonly known as the green marvel moth, is a noctuid moth found across most of North America. First described by Herrich-Schäffer in 1854, this species has a wingspan of approximately 34 mm. Adults are active year-round in warmer regions, with particularly extended flight periods in Florida from February through November. The species belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, characterized by distinctive caterpillars often bearing prominent defensive setae.
Acronicta impleta
yellow-haired dagger moth, powdered dagger
Acronicta impleta, commonly known as the yellow-haired dagger moth, is a noctuid moth species native to most of North America. Adults are active from April to July, with timing varying by location. The species is recognized by its moderate wingspan of approximately 42 mm. Larvae feed on the foliage of several deciduous tree genera including elm, maple, birch, willow, and oak. Two subspecies are recognized: A. i. impleta and A. i. illita.
Acronicta lanceolaria
lanceolate dagger moth, pointed dagger
Acronicta lanceolaria is a noctuid moth native to North America, ranging from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. The species was described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. Adults fly in early June in a single generation. It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut.
Acronicta liturata
Acronicta liturata is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, originally described by Smith in 1897. It is currently treated as a synonym of Acronicta brumosa in taxonomic databases. The species belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a group known for caterpillars with distinctive tufts or 'daggers' of setae. Like other members of this genus, it is presumed to have a life cycle involving herbivorous larval stages and nocturnal adult moths.
Acronicta nr-othello
A North American dagger moth currently recognized as a near-relative to Acronicta othello, awaiting formal taxonomic resolution. The 'nr' designation indicates this population or specimen cluster resembles A. othello but may represent an undescribed species or distinct geographic variant. Dagger moths in this genus are characterized by their stout bodies and typically exhibit bold wing patterns with distinctive dark markings.
Acronicta othello
Acronicta othello is a noctuid moth described by Smith in 1908. It belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a group characterized by distinctive dark markings on the forewings that often resemble daggers or swords. The species occurs in western North America, with records from California and surrounding regions. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Acronicta ovata
ovate dagger moth, Epauleted Oak Dagger
Acronicta ovata is a noctuid moth with a wingspan of 28–35 mm. Adults are active from June to September, with two or more generations per year across its broad North American range. The species is known for its larval association with hardwood trees, particularly oaks.
Acronicta perblanda
Acronicta perblanda is a noctuid moth species described by Ferguson in 1989. It belongs to the genus Acronicta, commonly known as dagger moths, characterized by distinctive dark dagger-shaped markings on the forewings of many species. The species has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States, documented from coastal North Carolina south to Florida and west to Missouri and Louisiana.
Acronicta rubricoma
Hackberry Dagger, ruddy dagger moth
Acronicta rubricoma, commonly known as the Hackberry Dagger or ruddy dagger moth, is a noctuid moth found in eastern and central North America. The species has a wingspan of 38–44 mm. Adults are active from April to October with two generations per year. The larvae feed on elm, hackberry, and sumac.
Acronicta tota
Acronicta tota is a moth species in the family Noctuidae, first described by Grote in 1879. It belongs to the dagger moth genus Acronicta, a diverse group of noctuid moths whose caterpillars often possess distinctive tufts or projections. The species is documented from Texas and has been recorded in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be nocturnal and attracted to light sources, though specific behavioral details remain poorly documented.
Acronicta valliscola
Acronicta valliscola is a small noctuid moth described by André Blanchard in 1968. It is known exclusively from Big Bend National Park in western Texas, making it one of the most geographically restricted species in the genus. The species has a wingspan of 30–35 mm. Very little is known about its biology or ecology due to its limited known distribution and few documented observations.