Grey dagger


The grey dagger is a moth of the family Noctuidae.

Distribution

This species can be found from Europe and North Africa to northern Iran, central Asia, southern and central Siberia and Mongolia. In the Levant it is found in Lebanon and Israel.

Habitat

These moths mainly inhabit deciduous forests, hedgerows, parks and gardens, at an elevation up to above sea level.

Description

Acronicta psi has a wingspan of 34–45 mm. These moths have grey forewings with bold black dagger-shaped markings. The hindwings are dirty grey, generally paler in the male.
This moth is very similar to the dark dagger and identification is generally only possible by minute examination of the genitalia. However, in general this moth is generally darker in colour than the dark dagger and always lacks the white hindwings often present in the male of that species. Moreover, the larvae of the two species are very different.
The larva of Acronicta psi is quite hairy, greyish or brownish below and black above, with red spots along the sides sand a bold yellow stripe along the back. It has a distinctive horn just behind the head.

Biology

The grey dagger flies at night from June to August and is attracted to light and sometimes to sugar.
It feeds on a wide range of plants, mainly trees and shrubs. The species overwinters as a pupa.
  1. The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.

    Food plants

Recorded food plants include: