Knives Out...

I was helping out with a moth event at Rondeau Provincial Park this past weekend. It was jointly organized by the Toronto Entomologists Association and the Friends of Rondeau. We received fantastic support from the staff at the main park centre and all those who attended had, I think, a great time.

I'll present the main highlights in another post but though I'd show you a few Dagger Moths first. The daggers belong in the genus Acronicta which is within the huge complex of the Noctuidae - of which there are just under 3000 species within North America. There are quite a few species of Acronicta Daggers here in Ontario, maybe about 40 or more species. Many are superbly marked with fine dagger-like streaks on ash-gray wings, whereas others are boldly mottled gray and black.

The Dagger above is one of the more boldly-marked species. It is Acronicta noctivaga, the aptly-named Night-wandering Dagger Moth. A lovely species, it is on the wing from late May until August in wooded areas. The larvae feed on Poplars.


This is one of the "classic" Daggers. It is Acronicta spinigera, the Nondescript Dagger Moth. Beautifully-marked, though subtle - note the "dagger-like" streaks on the fore wing. There are some look-alike species but this one can be told apart by the incomplete thin black edge to the roundish orbicular spot. Like many daggers this one is on the wing from late May through August in two or more broods. The larvae feed on a variety of trees and Rubus species.


Some daggers lack the characteristic dagger-like markings on the fore wing, and this is one of them. It is Acronicta haesitata, the Hesitant Dagger Moth. The almost straight double am. line is a good clue to its identity. Again, the adults fly from May until August in two or more broods. The larvae feed on red and white oak.


This is one of the darker-looking daggers. It is Acronicta afflicta, the Afflicted Dagger Moth. The most obvious feature of this stygian beauty is that bold whitish, dark-centered, orbicular spot on the fore wing. The adults fly from late May until August and the larvae feed on oaks and walnuts.


Though not really a typical dagger moth Simyra henrici, or Henry's Marsh Moth is lumped with them. It more resembles some of the wainscots in the genus Leucania. It is a marsh dwelling species that is on the wing from May until August. The larvae feed on cattails, various grasses, sedges and willows. It is pretty distinctive with the most obvious feature being the three dusky streaks that run lengthwise across the fore wing.

All of these great moths were photographed at Rondeau this past weekend. Well, all that remains for me to say is that I hope you get the point of all this...