Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251
Acronicta retardata
This record describes Acronicta retardata (species). Recorded family: Noctuidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing pale gray; AM line distinctly double, often with a black spot midway on its outer side; median area usually whitish hindwing whitish with heavy gray shading and dark discal spot [adapted from description by Charles Covell] Larva: head and body with many black and white bands of about equal width; 4 red dorsal tubercles and 2 red lateral tubercles on each abdominal segment (and only 2 red dorsal tubercles on each thoracic segment); long white lateral filaments on each segment [adapted from description by Pedro Barbosa]
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
deciduous woods containing food plants; adults may be attracted to light
Geographic Range
Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from April to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of Maple ( Acer species), Buckeye ( Aesculus species), and perhaps additional members of the Sapindaceae family.
Life History
multiple generations per year
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Acronicta retardata. 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 Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Ethan Kistler , George Smiley , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251
What is Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251?
Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 (Acronicta retardata) is a species in the family Noctuidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251?
wingspan 25-32 mm
How do you identify Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251?
Adult: forewing pale gray; AM line distinctly double, often with a black spot midway on its outer side; median area usually whitish hindwing whitish with heavy gray shading and dark discal spot [adapted from description by Charles Covell] Larva: head and body with many black and white bands of about equal width; 4 red dorsal tubercles and 2 red lateral tubercles on each abdominal segment (and only 2 red dorsal tubercles on each thoracic segment); long white lateral filaments on each segment [adapted from description by Pedro Barbosa]
Where is Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | deciduous woods containing food plants; adults may be attracted to light |
| Range | Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba |
What does Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 eat?
The diet of the Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 includes Larvae feed on leaves of Maple ( Acer species), Buckeye ( Aesculus species), and perhaps additional members of the Sapindaceae family..
When is Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251 active?
Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251: seasonal activity - adults fly from April to August.
What is the life cycle of a Retarded Dagger Moth - Hodges#9251?
multiple generations per year