Acronicta brumosa (Guenee, 1852)
Charred Dagger Moth
NatureServe Global Rank: G4?
Virginia State Rank: S1S2
VA DGIF Tier: None
Federal Legal Status: None
Virginia Legal Status: None
Description: The Charred Dagger Moth is a medium sized (38mm) moth with forewings that have a patchy mixture of black, gray, and white, with no sharply-defined markings. It has an oval orbicular spot that is whitish in color with a dark dot in the center. The hind wings are mainly whitish but have some fine, darker markings near the outside edge and following the veins a short distance into the wing.
Similar species: It is similar to the Afflicted Dagger Moth (Acronicta afflicta) but has less expanded dark-shaded areas on the front wings. It is also somewhat similar to other Acronicta species but the pattern of dark shading on the front wings separates it from these. The caterpillar of the Afflicted Dagger Moth (Acronicta afflicta) is very similar but only has one pair of black, chubbed dorsal setae per segment.
North American Range: This moth ranges from New York south to Florida, west through the southern states to California, and north at least to Utah. In Virginia, it has been documented in Suffolk County.
VA Observations by Locality: No Known Recorded Observations
Flight season and broods: The flight season and number of broods is unknown for this species.
Habitat and Food Plants: The Charred Dagger Moth is a specialist in xeric oak woodlands and barrens, also savannas. It is associated with blackjack oak thickets in New Jersey. They are found in the outer coastal plain in the eastern part of their range. The larvae feed on leaves of oak.
Behavior and Ecology: The larvae are well-built to consume the tough oak leaves found in their xeric habitats. Larvae prefer the bottom sides of these leaves and can be most easily located at night.
Population trend and potential threats: Population trends and threats are unknown.
Management practices: Since little is known regarding this species, management practices have not been determined.
References: Bug Guide. 2003. Iowa State University Entomology. 29Apr2012
Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University. Web application at: http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/large_map.php?hodges=9255 Accessed: 09Apr2013
NatureServe. 2011. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. (Accessed: April 18, 2012).
Wagner, David L. Caterpillars of Eastern North America. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2005. Print.
Wagner, D. L., D.F. Schweitzer, J.B. Sullivan, and R.C. Reardon. 2011. Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. 576pp.