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Species Details
Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameCottonwood Dagger Moth
SeasonalityIn Alberta adults have been collected from late May through July.
IdentificationA medium-sized (4.0-5.0 cm wingspan) grey and white dagger-moth. The lines, except for the postmedian line, are obsolete and indicated only by dark blotches where they would meet the costa. The postmedian line is incomplete and marked by a series of darker spots or small crescents, with the 'dagger-mark" in the anal area prominent and enlarged. The area beyond the postmedian line is usually darker grey than the rest of the forewing, and there is a terminal line made up of black spots between the veins. The orbicular spot is a faint thin black oval, and the reniform is indicated by only a few dark scales. There is a thin but prominent black basal dash. The hind wing is white, with a series of black dots marking the terminal line. The females are larger and somewhat darker, especially on the hindwings. Antennae simple.
The Cottonwood Dagger Moth can be separated from the similar Fingered Dagger Moth (A. dactylina) by the black basal dash (absent in dactylina), and the crisper dark markings (smudged in dacylina). A. vulpina is also similar, but is larger, has broad chalky grey-white wings and a short, thick basal dash.
Alberta specimens have been treated by Bowman (1951) as subspecies lepusculina, felina, and canadensis.
Scientific Name
Acronicta lepusculina
Common Name
Cottonwood Dagger Moth
Habitat
Deciduous and mixedwood forest and edges; riparian woodlands on the plains.
Seasonality
In Alberta adults have been collected from late May through July.
Identification
A medium-sized (4.0-5.0 cm wingspan) grey and white dagger-moth. The lines, except for the postmedian line, are obsolete and indicated only by dark blotches where they would meet the costa. The postmedian line is…
A medium-sized (4.0-5.0 cm wingspan) grey and white dagger-moth. The lines, except for the postmedian line, are obsolete and indicated only by dark blotches where they would meet the costa. The postmedian line is incomplete and marked by a series of darker spots or small crescents, with the 'dagger-mark" in the anal area prominent and enlarged. The area beyond the postmedian line is usually darker grey than the rest of the forewing, and there is a terminal line made up of black spots between the veins. The orbicular spot is a faint thin black oval, and the reniform is indicated by only a few dark scales. There is a thin but prominent black basal dash. The hind wing is white, with a series of black dots marking the terminal line. The females are larger and somewhat darker, especially on the hindwings. Antennae simple.
The Cottonwood Dagger Moth can be separated from the similar Fingered Dagger Moth (A. dactylina) by the black basal dash (absent in dactylina), and the crisper dark markings (smudged in dacylina). A. vulpina is also similar, but is larger, has broad chalky grey-white wings and a short, thick basal dash.
Alberta specimens have been treated by Bowman (1951) as subspecies lepusculina, felina, and canadensis.
Life History
The Cottonwood dagger moth is a solitary defoliator of poplars. The single annual brood each year overwinters as pupae.
Conservation
Uncommon in Alberta, but a widespread species. No reason for concern.
Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere in Canada recorded hosts include mainly poplars (Populus spp., including P. tremuloides, P. balsamifera, P. nigra, P. grandidentata, P. trichocarpa and P. acuminata) and occasionally willows…
No Alberta data; elsewhere in Canada recorded hosts include mainly poplars (Populus spp., including P. tremuloides, P. balsamifera, P. nigra, P. grandidentata, P. trichocarpa and P. acuminata) and occasionally willows (Salix sp.) and Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)(Prentice 1962).
Range
Throughout much of eastern North America and west across southern Canada to Vancouver Island and southward. In Alberta it has been collected across the southern half of the Boreal forest, in the foothills and along…
Throughout much of eastern North America and west across southern Canada to Vancouver Island and southward. In Alberta it has been collected across the southern half of the Boreal forest, in the foothills and along the wooded river valleys of the southern grasslands. To date (2002) it has not been collected in the Aspen parklands, where it also undoubtedly occurs.
Citation
Page Citation for Acronicta lepusculina
Page Citation
"Species Details - Acronicta lepusculina, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2843/9-7513. Accessed 02 Dec. 2024.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Author
Bowman, K.
Title
An annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date
1951
Series Title
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Volume
29
Pages
121-165
Author
Prentice, R. M.
Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada. (1962)
Publication Date
1962
Volume
2
Pages
281
Author
Forbes, William T. M.
Title
The Lepidoptera of New York and neighboring states : Part 1
Publication Date
1923
Series Title
Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Memoir
Volume
1
Pages
729
Specimen Information
There are 33 specimens of this Species.
UASM163025 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Logan county, Prewitt State Wildlife Area
Collected ByOpler, P.
Date Collected1979-06-02
UASM163026 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedUnited States: Colorado, Larimer county, Fort Collins
Collected ByOpler, P. A.
Date Collected1989-08-01
UASM163027 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Cayuga
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2005-08-05
UASM163028 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Long Point
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2005-08-04
UASM163029 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Saskatchewan, Burstall
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected1998-07-01
UASM163030 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Stittsville
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-23
UASM163031 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-19
UASM163032 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Carp Ridge
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-25
UASM163033 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Ottawa
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-24
UASM163034 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Ottawa
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-24
UASM163035 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Ontario, Ottawa
Collected ByTroubridge, J.
Date Collected2004-06-24
UASM163036 - Acronicta lepusculina
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dunvegan
Collected BySperling, F.
Date Collected2003-07-19