Species Agrotis venerabilis - Venerable Dart - Hodges#10651

10651

Dusky Cutworm (larva)

Agrotis venerabilis Walker, [1857]

phylogenetic sequence # 933516.

VENERABILIS: a Latin word, from the root "venerari" (to reverence, worship, adore [on account of age or historic or religious associations]); probably a reference to the white-haired or gray-haired appearance of the adult, making it look old

Twenty-three species are found in America north of Mexico.(1)

Wingspan 35-40 mm.

Adult: tegulae (scales in "shoulder" area) whitish in male, pale gray in female, giving the appearance of old age; thorax brown with darker brown collar; forewing grayish to yellowish-brown; orbicular spot long & narrow with thin black outline; claviform spot a black dash; blackish shading along costa usually extends down over reniform spot but rarely reaches apex; two smaller black patches in terminal area

hindwing grayish-brown

[adapted from description by Charles Covell]

Larva: head dark brown; body brown above, yellowish below

All of United States plus coast to coast in southern Canada.

Adults fly from late August to October.

Larvae feed on alfalfa, chickweed, clover, corn, oats, tobacco, and various other plants.

Overwinters as a larva in the soil.

This point of male anatomy could use some explanation:

Agrotis obliqua flies in May and June in far northern forests; its thorax is darker, and its forewing orbicular spot is oval (compare images of both species at CBIF)

Agrotis volubilis and A. stigmosa also fly in May/June, not September/October

Moth Photographers Group - range map, photos of larvae, living and pinned adults.

Pacific Northwest Moths

BOLD - Barcode of Life Data Systems - collection map and photos of pinned adults.

live adult image and food plants (Larry Line, Maryland)

distribution in Canada list of provinces (U. of Alberta, using CBIF data)