Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227
Acronicta laetifica
This record describes Acronicta laetifica (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar to interrupta , hasta , and lobeliae
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
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from May to July in Ohio; April to October in the south
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on American Hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana ), American Hophornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana ), and possibly American Hazelnut ( Corylus americana ). Use of Hickory ( Carya species)
Life History
Two or more generations in the south; one in the north
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta laetifica. 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 Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , Robert Lord Zimlich , George Smiley , Blocky
Frequently Asked Questions About Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227
What is Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227?
Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 (Acronicta laetifica) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227?
Wingspan 37-43 mm
How do you identify Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227?
Similar to interrupta , hasta , and lobeliae
Where is Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 found?
Range: Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba
What does Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 eat?
The diet of the Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 includes Larvae feed on American Hornbeam ( Carpinus caroliniana ), American Hophornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana ), and possibly American Hazelnut ( Corylus americana ). Use of Hickory ( Carya species).
When is Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227 active?
Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227: seasonal activity - Adults fly from May to July in Ohio; April to October in the south.
What is the life cycle of a Pleasant Dagger - Hodges#9227?
Two or more generations in the south; one in the north