Common NameUnmarked Dagger-mothSeasonalityFlies May-July.IdentificationA medium sized ( 3.5-4 cm. ws) broad-winged dagger-moth with pale grey-brown or tan forewings and shining white hindwings. The markings on the forewings are greatly reduced; only the postmedian line is complete, with the others only indicated by dark spots on the costa. The postmedian line is made up of three outward arcs, partially lined on the distal side by dark scales and on the proximal side by pale ones. The reniform is partially outlined with dark scales in a crescent. The terminal line is comprised of a series of fine dots between the veins. The hindwings are white, with the discal spot and veins faintly marked with darker scales. Sexes similar, the female slightly larger and with darker hindwings. Other Alberta dagger-moths are either darker grey or chalky white (A. vulpina).
Scientific NameAcronicta innotataCommon Name
Unmarked Dagger-moth
Habitat
Deciduous woodlands; Common in plantings of birch and poplar in urban areas
Seasonality
Flies May-July.
Identification
A medium sized ( 3.5-4 cm. ws) broad-winged dagger-moth with pale grey-brown or tan forewings and shining white hindwings. The markings on the forewings are greatly reduced; only the postmedian line is complete, with the…
A medium sized ( 3.5-4 cm. ws) broad-winged dagger-moth with pale grey-brown or tan forewings and shining white hindwings. The markings on the forewings are greatly reduced; only the postmedian line is complete, with the others only indicated by dark spots on the costa. The postmedian line is made up of three outward arcs, partially lined on the distal side by dark scales and on the proximal side by pale ones. The reniform is partially outlined with dark scales in a crescent. The terminal line is comprised of a series of fine dots between the veins. The hindwings are white, with the discal spot and veins faintly marked with darker scales. Sexes similar, the female slightly larger and with darker hindwings. Other Alberta dagger-moths are either darker grey or chalky white (A. vulpina).
Conservation
Widespread and fairly common.
Diet Info
White and Yellow birch (Betula papyrifera and B. alleghaniensis), Poplars (Populus tremuloides and P. balsamifera), speckled alder (Alnus rugosa), willow (Salix sp.), and pin cherry (Prunus pennsylvanicus).
White and Yellow birch (Betula papyrifera and B. alleghaniensis), Poplars (Populus tremuloides and P. balsamifera), speckled alder (Alnus rugosa), willow (Salix sp.), and pin cherry (Prunus pennsylvanicus).
Range
Across southern Canada to the BC coast; south.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Acronicta innotata
Page Citation
"Species Details - Acronicta innotata, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-6123. Accessed 24 Jun. 2022.