Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237
Acronicta interrupta
This record describes Acronicta interrupta (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 deciduous woodland edges and tall shrub areas
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Arkansas and Colorado, north to Saskatchewan (and Alberta: one record)
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to August/September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of apple, apricot, birch, cherry, crabapple, elm, hawthorn, Hop-Hornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana ), mountain-ash ( Sorbus spp.), oak, plum, willow
Life History
two or more generations per year in the south; one in the north
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta interrupta. 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 Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Lynette Elliott , Maury Heiman , Ethan Kistler , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237
How big is Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237?
wingspan 35-42 mm
Where is Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | dry deciduous woodland edges and tall shrub areas |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Arkansas and Colorado, north to Saskatchewan (and Alberta: one record) |
What does Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237 eat?
The diet of the Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237 includes larvae feed on leaves of apple, apricot, birch, cherry, crabapple, elm, hawthorn, Hop-Hornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana ), mountain-ash ( Sorbus spp.), oak, plum, willow.
When is Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237 active?
Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to August/September.
What is the life cycle of a Interrupted Dagger - Hodges#9237?
two or more generations per year in the south; one in the north