Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255
Acronicta brumosa
This record describes Acronicta brumosa (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing a patchy mixture of black, gray, and white, with no sharply-defined markings; basal, anal, orbicular-reniform, and subterminal dashes present but diffuse and indistinct, showing little contrast against dark ground color of wing; postmedial line double, whitish, faint; orbicular spot oval, whitish, with dark dot in center; overall appearance seems mottled and diffuse, as though obscured by patches of fog. Thorax mottled dark gray; basal segments of abdomen brownish-orange. Previously included as a subspecies Acronicta liturata Smith, 1897
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
- Subfamily
- Acronictinae
- Genus
- Acronicta (Dagger Moths)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Dry oak woodlands and barrens.
Geographic Range
FL north to NJ and east to OK and central TX.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of oak.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: BRUMOSA: from the Latin "bruma" (winter) "brume" [n.] - fog or mist; "brumous" [a.] - characterized by fog or mist perhaps a reference to the patchy and indistinct markings on the forewing, reminiscent of fog or mist
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta brumosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Randy Hardy , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255
What is Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255?
Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255 (Acronicta brumosa) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255?
Wingspan about 38 mm.
How do you identify Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255?
Adult: forewing a patchy mixture of black, gray, and white, with no sharply-defined markings; basal, anal, orbicular-reniform, and subterminal dashes present but diffuse and indistinct, showing little contrast against dark ground color of wing; postmedial line double, whitish, faint; orbicular spot oval, whitish, with dark dot in center; overall appearance seems mottled and diffuse, as though obscured by patches of fog. Thorax mottled dark gray; basal segments of abdomen brownish-orange.
Where is Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Dry oak woodlands and barrens. |
| Range | FL north to NJ and east to OK and central TX. |
What does Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255 eat?
The diet of the Charred Dagger - Hodges#9255 includes Larvae feed on leaves of oak..