Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236
Acronicta morula
This record describes Acronicta morula (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: orangish-yellow patch in center of thorax is diagnostic; forewing pale to dark gray with orangish-yellow strip bordering inner edge of basal dash, and the same coloration beyond PM line and covering obscure reniform spot; anal and subapical dashes present hindwing grayish-brown with dark smudged discal spot Caterpillar: setae short dorsally, longer with various lengths on the sides. Dark middorsal warts on A1, A4, and A8. Head black to either side of pale triangle, with red over each lobe.
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
Fields, woodlands, and forest edges.
Geographic Range
Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas
Seasonal Activity
Caterpillars: May/June-October/November. Moths: 2 or more broods from April-September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Mostly elm, but will eat apple, basswood, and hawthorn.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta morula. 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 Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236
What is Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236?
Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 (Acronicta morula) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236?
Wingspan 40-50 mm Caterpillar up to 45 mm
How do you identify Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236?
Adult: orangish-yellow patch in center of thorax is diagnostic; forewing pale to dark gray with orangish-yellow strip bordering inner edge of basal dash, and the same coloration beyond PM line and covering obscure reniform spot; anal and subapical dashes present hindwing grayish-brown with dark smudged discal spot Caterpillar: setae short dorsally, longer with various lengths on the sides. Dark middorsal warts on A1, A4, and A8. Head black to either side of pale triangle, with red over each lobe.
Where is Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Fields, woodlands, and forest edges. |
| Range | Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas |
What does Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 eat?
The diet of the Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 includes Mostly elm, but will eat apple, basswood, and hawthorn..
When is Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236 active?
Ochre Dagger Moth - Hodges#9236: seasonal activity - Caterpillars: May/June-October/November. Moths: 2 or more broods from April-September..