
	Description
	Dagger Moths (genus Acronicta) is a large genus with about 150 species worldwide, more than 73 species in North America north of Mexico. At least 28 species have been reported in Minnesota. The common name refers to a black, dagger-like dash on the forewings of many of the species. Most are gray with darker gray markings, and are difficult to identify. American dagger moth is the largest dagger moth in eastern United States. The adult is 11 ⁄16″ to 1½″ (27 to 38 mm) long and has a wingspan of 2″ to 2 9 ⁄16″ (50 to 65 mm). It is found in deciduous woodlands and forests across the United States and southern Canada. It is common and sometimes abundant east of the Great Plains, common in Minnesota. The forewings are pale gray or brownish-gray. There is a circular spot in the upper median area (orbicular spot) and a kidney-shaped spot at the end of the discal cell (reniform spot). The orbicular spot is a thin dark circle. The reniform spot has a thin dark outline. It is dark in the center, pale toward the edges. There is no claviform spot. There are faint gray, basal, antemedial (AM), median, and postmedial (PM) lines. The basal, AM, and PM lines are doubled, two thin dark lines with a wider pale area between. The median line is usually complete between the reniform spot and the leading edge of the wing (costal margin). The PM line is strongly jagged and the pale middle is lighter than the background color of the wing. There is only a single thin, black, dagger-like dash. It passes through the PM line in the anal area. There is no subterminal line. The terminal line consists of a series of conspicuous black spots between the veins. The hindwing on the male is light tannish-gray. There is an indistinct gray discal spot, a gray PM line, gray shading in the submarginal area, and dark gray spots representing a terminal line. The fringe is white. On the female the hindwing is dark grayish-brown, the PM line is less distinct, and the fringe is tannish-white. The late stage (instar) caterpillar is pale green and large, up to 23 ⁄16″ (55 mm) long. It is densely covered with long, white or pale yellow, hair-like outgrowths (setae). The earlier instar caterpillar is darker yellow. There is a pair of long, erect, black lashes in the subdorsal area of the first and third abdominal segment, and a single, thicker lash in the middle of the eighth segment. The lashes are tight groups of bristle-like setae. They will break off and embed in the skin of predators or of human handlers. They contain a toxin which causes stinging and burning and can develop into a rash. Mature caterpillars are found from July to October.

	Size
	Total length: 11 ⁄16″ to 1½″ (27 to 38 mm) Wingspan: 2″ to 29 ⁄16″ (50 to 65 mm)

	Similar Species



	Habitat
	Deciduous woodlands and forests


	Biology
	Season
	One generation per year in Minnesota: April to September

	Behavior
	Adults are active at night and will come to lights. To avoid detection by predators, the larva will sometimes clip off a partially eaten leaf, letting it fall to the ground.

	Life Cycle
	Pupa overwinter.

	Larva Hosts
	Many woody plants, including alder, ash, basswood, birch, blue beech, boxelder, elm, hazel, hickory, horse chestnut, maple, oak, poplar, walnut, and willow.

	Adult Food


	Distribution
			Sources 21, 24, 27, 29, 30, 71, 75, 82.
	8/20/2023

	Occurrence
	Common


	Taxonomy
	Order	Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)
	Superfamily	Noctuoidea (owlet moths and allies)
	Family	Noctuidae (cutworm moths and allies)
	Subfamily	Acronictinae
	Genus	Acronicta (dagger moths)

	Synonyms


	Common Names
	American dagger American dagger moth

Glossary

Costal margin

The leading edge of the forewing of insects.

Instar

The developmental stage of arthropods between each molt; in insects, the developmental stage of the larvae or nymph

Orbicular spot

A circular spot or outline in the upper median area near the antemedial line on the forewing of many moths.

Reniform spot

A kidney-shaped spot or outline in the lower median area near the PM line on the forewing of many moths.

Seta

A stiff, hair-like process on the outer surface of an organism. In Lepidoptera: A usually rigid bristle- or hair-like outgrowth used to sense touch. In mosses: The stalk supporting a spore-bearing capsule and supplying it with nutrients. Plural: setae. Adjective: setose.

Do Not Touch!

The black “lashes” are barbed and toxic. They will break off, embed in your skin, cause stinging and burning, and potentially cause a rash.


	Visitor Photos

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	Jackson Stai age 7

	have sighted 3 in the last 2 weeks in suburban yard



	Jennifer Conley

	found this one in our hedges. Glad we didn't touch it.



	Alfredo Colon








	Luciearl




	Cat Reddington

	Touched it before I knew what it was! I knew not to pick it up, but i was foolish to pet it because it looked so soft and cute. That was dumb of me, but it only hurt my pointer finger tip for about an hour, then it subsided.


	Molly and Robert Power

	Good thing no one touched this!!




	MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos

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	Slideshows


	American Dagger Moth Caterpillar Andree Reno Sanborn

	About Acronicta americana The moth can be seen at www.cirrusimage.com/Moths/american_dagger_moth_04.jpg.

slideshow


	Visitor Videos

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		This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.


	@annahalo

	Dagger Moth! Beware Poison Hairs! Aug 12, 2023

	About Dagger Moth Caterpillar! Do Not Touch Poison Hairs! #shorts @annahalo Thank you to all my Fans and Friends!



	Other Videos


	American Dagger Moth Caterpillar - Acronicta americana Walt Reven Jr

	About Jul 4, 2018 Walt Reven P.O. Box 8481 Fayetteville, AR 72703 Also please click the like button, it helps my channel and dont forget to subscribe. Showed a pic of this caterpillar on instagram(link in my bio area) but thought I would do a video as I have now found one again this year. I present to you the American Dagger Moth Caterpillar - Acronicta americana. Very awesome and unique thing! WARNING though DO NOT attempt to do what I did here unless you understand that the hairs on these guys can really irritate your skin if you poke or rub them and cause an allergic reaction in some people, they are brightly colored for a reason! My Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1CDQMNLV435KN?ref_=wl_share



	Stung By The Dagger Moth Catterpilar, ouch Full Video Great Outdoors

	About Apr 11, 2019 The Dagger Moth Caterpillar is a species of caterpillar that is commonly confused with the puss caterpillar. There certainly are many similarities and they are both venomous. The dagger moth caterpillar is not a threat to your life however it can cause skin irritation. Especially if you have sensitive skin. We will experience this first hand as we discover more about this amazing species. this is the full video with the release and the effects one day after the sting. You could be in my next video Please send Fan mail to 25228 nw 158th ave Highsprings, FL 32643 Or Email fan photos or videos/links to Alex.dobosiwicz@gmail.com Donations are needed to Support the Great Outdoors on PayPal click here https://paypal.me/pools/c/8d4i0BqrUQ Follow us on instagram Great_Outdoors_Official



	The American Dagger Moth Caterpillar - Acronicta americana The Dro

	About Sep 12, 2015 This dagger moth caterpillar turns into a medium sized moth with a wingspan of 2.0 to 2.6 inches. The American dagger moth can be spotted around April to September and the Caterpillars can be seen from months July to October. If you see one of these guys be sure not to pick it up with your bare hands because as the hairs move around on your skin they will break and release toxins into your pores thus leaving behind a large red welt that may possibly ruin your next couple days! I was working on my resin necklaces that I custom make for people and we found this little guy crawling around our house. I already had gloves on that I wear while working with the resin so I was able to pick him up and take some video of him before releasing him outside in our back yard.



	poisonous american dagger moth caterpillar yellow and black fuzzy acronicta americana ! Funny Cute Animal Videos

	About Oct 12, 2013 Poisonous caterpillar video \| The American dagger moth caterpillar

Camcorder


Visitor Sightings

Report a sighting of this insect.
		This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Be sure to include a location.



Jackson Stai age 7 9/5/2023	Location: 102 3rd St S, Dundas, MN 55019 have sighted 3 in the last 2 weeks in suburban yard



Jennifer Conley 8/19/2023	Location: Lexington Kentucky found this one in our hedges. Glad we didn't touch it.



@annahalo 8/13/2023	Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada This was the first time seeing that Dagger Moth Caterpillar!



Luciearl 9/11/2022	Location: Lake Shore



Alfredo Colon 8/16/2022	Location: Albany, NY



Alfredo Colon Summer 2018	Location: Woodbury, Minnesota



Cat Reddington 8/11/2022	Location: Palatine, Illinois Touched it before I knew what it was! I knew not to pick it up, but i was foolish to pet it because it looked so soft and cute. That was dumb of me, but it only hurt my pointer finger tip for about an hour, then it subsided.



Molly and Robert Power 8/10/2022	Location: Albany, MN Good thing no one touched this!!



Alfredo Colon Summer 2018	Location: Woodbury, Minnesota



MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings