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BugGuide Gathering
Smoky Mountains
University of Tennessee Biological Field Station
August 8-10, 2008
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Photos from the last gathering (Minnesota 2007)

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Species Acronicta oblinita - Smeared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9272

Smartweed Caterpillar - Acronicta oblinita Moth Caterpillar - Acronicta oblinita Smeared Dagger Moth - Acronicta oblinita Pretty Caterpillar - Acronicta oblinita Caterpillar ID Requested - Acronicta oblinita dont touch me - Acronicta oblinita Smartweed Caterpillar - Acronicta oblinita Smeared Dagger Moth - Acronicta oblinita
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
No Taxon (Moths)
Superfamily Noctuoidea
Family Noctuidae (Owlet Moths)
Subfamily Acronictinae
Genus Acronicta (Dagger Moths)
Species oblinita (Smeared Dagger Moth - Hodges#9272)
Hodges Number
9272
Other Common Names
Smartweed Caterpillar
Size
Wingspan of adult 3.6-5.4 cm.
Identification
Dark with dorsal warts bearing tufts. Yellow, V-shaped blotches between the spiracles are distinctive.
Range
Includes Eastern North America
Habitat
Deciduous forests and adjacent areas with host plants
Season
Caterpillar: May to October
Food
A variety of forbs, shrubs, and trees.
Life Cycle
One or two generations per year, more in southern North America.
Remarks
Caution, larva may "sting" if handled.
Print References
Covell, Field Guide to Eastern Moths page 88, plate 1 #4 (caterpillar), plate 13#18 (adult) (2)
Wagner, Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 332 (3)
Works Cited
1.Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
By David L. Wagner, Valerie Giles, Richard C. Reardon, Michael L. McManus
2.Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths
By Charles V. Covell
3.Caterpillars of Eastern North America
By David L. Wagner