Species Details

ABH: 73.037

BF: 2283

Family: Noctuidae

Subfamily: Acronictinae

Taxon: Acronicta tridens

Authority: ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

Vernacular: Dark Dagger

Account: Common in woodland, fens, gardens and a wide range of other habitats throughout much of England and Wales. Very similar to Acronicta psi Grey 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 Wild Rose, Cultivated Rose, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Goat Willow, 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: 22 Apr (1998) — 4 Aug (2010)

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

Foodplant: Rosaceae.

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

Status: Least Concern (LC)

UK BAP:

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-tridens/
Statistics

* Based on adult records only.

Records: 35

Individuals: 14

Earliest Year: 1950

Latest Year: 2018

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