Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246
Acronicta clarescens
This record describes Acronicta clarescens (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The adult of Acronicta spinigera looks very similar. One way to tell the difference is that A. clarescens has a tuft of tan brown on the midthorax. (from Chris Schmidt)
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
Seasonal Activity
Adults are on wing from May to August, depending on the location.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on apple, cherry, mountain ash, plum and wild black cherry.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta clarescens. 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 Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246
What is Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246?
Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246 (Acronicta clarescens) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246?
Wingspan ≈ 40mm
How do you identify Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246?
The adult of Acronicta spinigera looks very similar. One way to tell the difference is that A. clarescens has a tuft of tan brown on the midthorax. (from Chris Schmidt)
What does Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246 eat?
The diet of the Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246 includes Larvae feed on apple, cherry, mountain ash, plum and wild black cherry..
When is Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246 active?
Clear Dagger Moth - Hodges#9246: seasonal activity - Adults are on wing from May to August, depending on the location..