Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Acronicta tritona – (Hübner, 1818)
* phylogenetic sequence #931432
Numbers
seventy-three species of
Acronicta are found in America north of Mexico
(1)Identification
Adults - narrow black basal streak, a larger black streak (dagger-mark) in the anal angle, and a smaller one near the apex. The postmedian-line is prominent, marked with black scales, and loops outward between the costa and the upper dagger mark, between the two dagger marks, and below the lower dagger mark. The orbicular spot is indistinct, marked by a few dark scales. The reniform spot is more prominent and is filled with dark red-brown scales. There are also dark red-brown scales shading the upper part of the lower dagger-mark. Hindwings are grey-brown, darker toward the margin. The sexes are similar, but the female is darker, especially on the hindwings
Caterpillar - green with a red-brown saddle that is widest at A4 and A5 and split in two over A6 and A7 by a green mid-dorsal patch. (Wagner)
Range
Nova Scotia west to northeastern Alberta, south to Florida and Texas, and in the USA west to Oregon
Habitat
Dry forest with blueberry understory
Food
Larvae feed on cranberry, blueberry and rhododendrons/azaleas (all in family Ericaceae)
Life Cycle
solitary defoliator of blueberry. The single annual brood overwinters in the pupal stage. Adults come to light
See Also
Larva is similar to
Acronicta grisea - may be distinguished by host plant as well as darker red-brown stripe of this species.
Print References
Lafontaine JD, Schmidt BC (2010) Annotated check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America North of Mexico.
(1)
Internet References
Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of living and pinned adults