Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256
Acronicta marmorata
This record describes Acronicta marmorata (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
Geographic Range
Western British Colombia to southernmost California (San Diego County) .
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from April to September .
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on deciduous oaks ( Quercus sp. ). In the Pacific Northest, the primary host plant is Q. garryana . ( PNW Moths web site ) Other species of oak are generally used in central and southern California.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Specific epithet from Latin marmoratus meaning "marbled."
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta marmorata. 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 Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Ethan Kistler , Aaron Schusteff , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256
Where is Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256 found?
Range: Western British Colombia to southernmost California (San Diego County) .
What does Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256 eat?
The diet of the Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256 includes Larvae feed on deciduous oaks ( Quercus sp. ). In the Pacific Northest, the primary host plant is Q. garryana . ( PNW Moths web site ) Other species of oak are generally used in central and southern California..
When is Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256 active?
Marble Dagger Moth - Hodges#9256: seasonal activity - Adults fly from April to September ..