Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268
Acronicta perdita
This record describes Acronicta perdita (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults: Forewings gray heavily suffused with black. Hind wings of males are white and are gray in females. Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Larvae: Larva has orange scoli or tubercles covered with short hair tufts or spines. The color is black [or dark red/brown] with a broad white lateral band. It is illustrated by Miller & Hammond.
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
Found in dry forests. ( 4 )
Geographic Range
South-central British Columbia southward and westward thru western Montana, Idaho, western Nevada. Southern extent in California is the Sierra Nevada in Tulare County and to Santa Clara County along the West Coast. ( 3 )
Seasonal Activity
Adults fly from April through July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Ceanothus , Purshia and Salix . photo of caterpillar (USGS)
Life History
Larva; Adult Male:
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta perdita. 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 Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John Davis; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268
What is Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268?
Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 (Acronicta perdita) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268?
Wingspan 42-46 mm.
How do you identify Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268?
Adults: Forewings gray heavily suffused with black. Hind wings of males are white and are gray in females. Specimen identified by DNA analysis: Larvae: Larva has orange scoli or tubercles covered with short hair tufts or spines. The color is black [or dark red/brown] with a broad white lateral band. It is illustrated by Miller & Hammond.
Where is Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Found in dry forests. ( 4 ) |
| Range | South-central British Columbia southward and westward thru western Montana, Idaho, western Nevada. Southern extent in California is the Sierra Nevada in Tulare County and to Santa Clara County along the West Coast. ( 3 ) |
What does Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 eat?
The diet of the Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 includes Larvae feed on Ceanothus , Purshia and Salix . photo of caterpillar (USGS).
When is Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268 active?
Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268: seasonal activity - Adults fly from April through July..
What is the life cycle of a Pacific Dagger - Hodges#9268?
Larva; Adult Male: