Species Details

ABH: 73.038

BF: 2284

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Acronictinae

Taxon: Acronicta psi

Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular: Grey Dagger

Account: Common in woodland, hedgerows, gardens, scrubby heathland, calcareous grassland, fens and a wide range of other habitats; low altitudes in the north throughout much of the British Isles, a species of conservation concern under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Very similar to A. tridens Dark Dagger, from which separated only by dissection of the genitalia. The larvae of the two species are readily identifiable. Larva feeds on various broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Apple, Birch, Common Lime, English Elm and Rowan, over-wintering as a pupa.

Accounts provided by and used with the kind permission of Mike Wall, Hampshire County Moth Recorder. These will in due course be gradually replaced with species accounts with a Surrey context.

Wingspan: 33 — 44 mm

Surrey Flight Period: 20 Apr (2009) — 7 Sep (1969)

The flight period of overwintering adults are not given. See the flight chart below the distribution map.

Foodplant: Polyphagous.

Foodplant accounts are from the HOSTS database — Natural History Museum, London, UK. (CC0).

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP: BAP(R)

WCA:

Click here to view the full geology map of Surrey.

Verification Grade: 4 — ️‼️Dissection required️‼️
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/acronicta-psi/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 187

Individuals: 23

Earliest Year: 1910

Latest Year: 2025

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