Acronicta oblinita
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Acronicta
Species:
A. oblinita
Binomial name
Acronicta oblinita
(J. E. Smith, 1797)
Synonyms

Acronicta oblinita, the smeared dagger moth or arioch dagger, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. Its larva, the smartweed caterpillar, has urticating hairs.[1] The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797.[2][3]

Description

The smeared dagger moth adult has a wingspan of 3.6–5.4 centimetres (1.4–2.1 in).[1] The forewings have a mottled gray appearance, with orbicular and reniform spots on each dorsal surface that are incompletely outlined and indistinct.[1] Smeared-appearing dark wedge spots are present along the postmedial line with their apices pointed inward.[4] There is a terminal line of dark spots on the forewing.[1] The hindwings are white and also have small dark spots along their terminal line.[1]

The larva is a caterpillar up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long that bears numerous tufts of irritating setae on wart-like protuberances along its thoracic and abdominal segments.[1] There are bright yellow blotches in the shape of carets (inverted "V" shapes) between the laterally-positioned spiracles.[1][5]

Range

The smeared dagger moth is found across Canada as far north as Lake Athabasca.[6] In the United States, the moth is found in the Pacific Northwest[4] and east of the Rocky Mountains south to Florida and Texas.[6][7]

Habitat

Habitats include bogs and coastal marshes in the Pacific Northwest[4] and wetlands, forests and meadows more generally.[6] Individuals have been collected in boreal forests in Canada.[6]

Life cycle

Adult moth

The smeared dagger moth has one to two generations per year.[1][8] In the coastal plain of North Carolina, adults can be seen beginning in early March through late June and again from mid-August until early October.[8] Caterpillars may pupate within folded leaves of their host plant.[9] Overwintering occurs as pupae.[1]

Host plants

Larval hosts:

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Valo, John, ed. (2022). "smeared dagger (Actonicta oblinita)". MinnesotaSeasons.com. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  2. ↑ Beccaloni, G.; Scoble, M.; Kitching, I.; Simonsen, T.; Robinson, G.; Pitkin, B.; Hine, A.; Lyal, C., eds. (2003). "Acronicta oblinita​". The Global Lepidoptera Names Index. Natural History Museum. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  3. ↑ Savela, Markku (August 29, 2020). "Acronicta oblinita (Smith, 1797)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Acronicta oblinita (J.E. Smith, 1797)". Pacific Northwest Moths. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  5. ↑ Cotinis (9 August 2020). "Species Acronicta oblinita - Smeared Dagger - Hodges#9272". BugGuide. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Anweiler, G.G. (7 April 2003). "Acronicta oblinita". University of Alberta Museums. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  7. ↑ "931485.00 – 9272 – Acronicta oblinita". North American Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at the Mississippi State University. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  8. 1 2 Hall, S.P.; Sullivan, J.B.; Petranka, J.W.; Backstrom, P.; Howard, T. (2022). "Acronicta oblinita (J.E. Smith, 1797) - Smeared Dagger". The Moths of North Carolina. Raleigh: North Carolina Biodiversity Project and North Carolina State Parks. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  9. 1 2 Childs, Ken. O'Connor, Marcie (ed.). "Acronicta oblinita - Smeared Dagger Moth". Bug Life Cycles. Retrieved 21 September 2022.


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