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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Noctuidae
931419.89 – 9247   Acronicta tristis (Smith, 1911)
             Sad Dagger

- [T] Gen. - © Jim Sogaard
Larva and
Host Plants:
Host familiy: Fagaceae.  Host genera: Fagus Quercus.  Host extended: primary host plants in Fagaceae (Schmidt & Anweiler 2020); polyphagous on trees & shrubs (Forbes 195...  (Kimberley & Douglas 2025)
Similar Species:
  • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy:
  • tristis (Smith, 1911) (Acronycta) - MONA 1983: 9247; TL: Springfield, MA.
  • References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)
    • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced.
    • Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
    • Schmidt, B.C. & G.G. Anweiler, 2020. Noctuidae (Part) Pantheinae, Raphiinae, Balsinae, Acronictinae. The Moths of North America, Fascicle 25.4: 152; pl. A-9, figs. 33-48(adult); pl. 19, fig. 6 (♂ gen.); pl. 37, fig. 8 (♀ gen.); pl. L75, figs. 1-3 (larva) (order).
    • Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online)
    • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
    • Species Page at Mass Moths
    • Species Page at iNaturalist
    Acronicta tristis
    © Jason Dombroskie
    Acronicta tristis
    © Jason Dombroskie
    Acronicta tristis
    LG – © Jim Troubridge
    Acronicta tristis
    LG – © Jim Troubridge
    Acronicta tristis
    34mm – © Jim Vargo
    Acronicta tristis
    © John G. Franclemont CUIC LG


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