Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207
Acronicta innotata
This record describes Acronicta innotata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing creamy white to pale gray; bulge of postmedial (PM) line indented to form two small bulges; PM line bordered distally by slightly darker grayish shading, and proximally by a white band (sometimes indistinct); no basal or anal dash; reniform spot a black crescent; three or four black marks equally spaced along costa; terminal line composed of several black dots; hindwing white with diffuse dark discal spot, PM line, and shading [adapted from description by Charles Covell] As of December 2006, the images labeled Unmarked Dagger ( Acronicta innotata ) at Larry Line's site appear to be Acronicta betulae (note the sharp right-angle in the lower portion of the PM line).
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
Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the east to North Carolina and Kentucky
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of alder, birch, cherry, hickory, poplar, willow
Life History
Larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta innotata. 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 Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Tony-2 , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207
What is Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207?
Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 (Acronicta innotata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207?
wingspan 35-40 mm
How do you identify Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207?
Adult: forewing creamy white to pale gray; bulge of postmedial (PM) line indented to form two small bulges; PM line bordered distally by slightly darker grayish shading, and proximally by a white band (sometimes indistinct); no basal or anal dash; reniform spot a black crescent; three or four black marks equally spaced along costa; terminal line composed of several black dots; hindwing white with diffuse dark discal spot, PM line, and shading [adapted from description by Charles Covell]
Where is Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 found?
Range: Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the east to North Carolina and Kentucky
What does Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 eat?
The diet of the Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 includes larvae feed on leaves of alder, birch, cherry, hickory, poplar, willow.
When is Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207 active?
Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to August.
What is the life cycle of a Unmarked Dagger - Hodges#9207?
Larva; adult