Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229
Acronicta hasta
This record describes Acronicta hasta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing dark gray with 4 heavy black streaks - basal, anal, between orbicular and reniform spot, and at outer wing edge below reniform spot (basal steak is especially long and broad, sometimes extending more than half length of wing); orbicular and reniform spots usually faint/inconspicuous; contrast between ground color of wing and streaks not as great as in similar species, mentioned in See also section below Larva: middle instars bright green with broad yellow and red dorsal stripe; head with red band over vertex forking to either side of triangle, commonly with triangle and cheeks greenish; last instar charcoal black with stunning red dorsal line; head black, sometimes reddish at top; both forms sparsely set with soft hairlike setae [description adapted from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests]
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
Geographic Range
eastern United States, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April/May to September larvae June to October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on cherry, oak, and plum
Life History
two or more generations per year in the south; one or two in the north Life cycle images: 1.4th instar larva 2.late instar larva 4.adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: HASTA: from the Latin "hasta" (a spear) - the origin of the common name, Speared Dagger, presumably referring to the shape of the streaks on the forewing
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta hasta. 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 Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , Robert Lord Zimlich , Chris Grinter , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229
What is Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229?
Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 (Acronicta hasta) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229?
wingspan 34-45 mm
How do you identify Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229?
Adult: forewing dark gray with 4 heavy black streaks - basal, anal, between orbicular and reniform spot, and at outer wing edge below reniform spot (basal steak is especially long and broad, sometimes extending more than half length of wing); orbicular and reniform spots usually faint/inconspicuous; contrast between ground color of wing and streaks not as great as in similar species, mentioned in See also section below Larva: middle instars bright green with broad yellow and red dorsal stripe; head with red band over vertex forking to either side of triangle, commonly with triangle and cheeks greenish; last instar charcoal black with stunning red dorsal line; head black, sometimes reddish at top; both forms sparsely set with soft hairlike setae [description adapted from Caterpillars of Eastern Forests]
Where is Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 found?
Range: eastern United States, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia
What does Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 eat?
The diet of the Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 includes larvae feed on cherry, oak, and plum.
When is Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229 active?
Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229: seasonal activity - adults fly from April/May to September larvae June to October.
What is the life cycle of a Speared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9229?
two or more generations per year in the south; one or two in the north Life cycle images: 1.4th instar larva 2.late instar larva 4.adult