afflicted dagger moth

(Acronicta afflicta)

Hodges #

9254

Conservation Status
IUCN Red List

not listed

NatureServe

NNR - Unranked

Minnesota

not listed

 
afflicted dagger moth
Photo by Alfredo Colon
 
Description

Afflicted dagger moth is an uncommon, large dagger moth. Adults are ¾ in length and have a wingspan of 1½ to 1¾ (39 to 45 mm). It occurs in the United States east of the Great Plains and in Ontario and Quebec. It is uncommon throughout its range, rare in Minnesota.

The forewings are sooty gray with obscure, darker gray lines and dashes. The circular spot in the upper median area (orbicular spot), an important identifying feature in dagger moths, is conspicuous. It is white with a dark center and a dark outline.

The antennae are slender and thread-like on both sexes.

The last stage (instar) caterpillar is beige to salmon-colored and up to 1 9 16 (4 cm) long. A thin black line on the upper side (middorsal) extends from the thorax to the tip of the abdomen. Each abdominal segment has a pair of long, black hairs (setae) in the subdorsal area. The setae are erect, expanded at the tip (clubbed), and about as long as the abdominal segment from which they rise. The breathing pores (spiracles) are pale and are ringed with a thin black line. Mature caterpillars are present from June to November.

 

Size

Total length: ¾ (20 mm)

Wingspan: 1½ to 1¾ (39 to 45 mm)

 

Similar Species

 
Habitat

Woodlands and forests

Biology

Season

Two generations per year: May to September

 

Behavior

Adults are active at night. They are attracted to lights.

 

Life Cycle

 

 

Larva Hosts

Leaves of oak trees

 

Adult Food

 

Distribution

Distribution Map

 

Sources

21, 24, 29, 30, 75, 82, 83.

Biodiversity occurrence data published by: Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas (accessed through the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Portal, bellatlas.umn.edu, 6/14/2025).

6/14/2025    
     

Occurrence

 

Taxonomy

Order

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)

Superfamily

Noctuoidea (owlet moths and allies)

Family

Noctuidae (cutworm moths and allies)

Subfamily

Acronictinae

Genus

Acronicta (dagger moths)

Subgenus

Lepitoreuma

Section

Acronicta afflicta (allficted and marbled oak daggers and allies)

   

Subordinate Taxa

 

   

Synonyms

Acronicta dolens

Acronicta schmalzriedi

   

Common Names

afflicted dagger moth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glossary

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.

 

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.

 

Spiracle

A small opening on the surface of an insect or arachnid through which it breathes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Alfredo Colon

afflicted dagger moth
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
   

 

   

 

 

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Other Videos

Acronicta afflicta - poop removal
weirdbuglady

About

Jun 15, 2011

When you're a caterpillar, you need to keep your living space tidy. So if you're feeling lazy, you need to get creative.

Acronicta afflicta 1st instar - first meal
weirdbuglady

About

May 27, 2011

Little Acronicta afflicta caterpillar, freshly hatched, starting its first meal of an oak leaf. It's so tiny that it will only be able to chew through one layer of the leaf.

 

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Alfredo Colon
8/31/2019

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

afflicted dagger moth
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Created: 9/30/2019

Last Updated:

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