Acronicta is a genus of noctuid moths containing about 150 species distributed mainly in the temperate Holarctic, with some in adjacent subtropical regions. The genus was erected by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. Caterpillars of most Acronicta species are unmistakable, with brightly colored hairy spikes, and often feed quite visibly on common foliate trees. The hairy spikes may contain poison, which cause itchy, painful, swollen rash in humans on contact. The larva of the smeared dagger moth is unusually hairy even for this genus. Acronicta species are generally known as dagger moths, as most have one or more black dagger-shaped markings on their forewing uppersides. But some species have a conspicuous dark ring marking instead.
Acronicta americana, the American dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It was originally described by Thaddeus William Harris in 1841 and is native to North America.
Acronicta lanceolaria, the lanceolate dagger moth or pointed dagger, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1875. It is found in North America, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in the US state of Connecticut.
Acronicta lobeliae, the lobelia dagger moth or greater oak dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in North America.
Acronicta oblinita, the smeared dagger moth or arioch dagger, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found in eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west across Canada to British Columbia, north to Lake Athabasca and south to Florida and Texas.
Acronicta tritona, the Triton dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1818. It is found in eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to north-eastern Alberta, south to Florida and Texas, and west to Oregon.
Acronicta lepusculina, the cottonwood dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in most of eastern North America, west through southern Canada to Vancouver Island and southward.
Acronicta sperata, the hopeful dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is found in North America from New Brunswick west to the Alberta foothills, south to the District of Columbia, Missouri and in the mountains to Colorado.
Acronicta fragilis, the fragile dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in North America from Newfoundland to Florida, west across Canada, south to Kentucky and Minnesota. It is listed as a species of special concern in the US state of Connecticut.
Acronicta hasta, the forked dagger moth, speared dagger moth, cherry dagger moth or dart dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found in North America in the eastern deciduous woodlands, ranging west across southern Saskatchewan and Alberta into central southern British Columbia, south to Tennessee, Wisconsin and Kansas.
Acronicta impressa, the impressive dagger moth or willow dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is found from western Canada to north-western Mexico.
Acronicta longa, the long-winged dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found across much of North America, with Nova Scotia, Alberta, Florida, and Texas within is range.
Acronicta vulpina, the vulpina dagger moth or miller dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1883. It is found in North America from New York and Newfoundland west to central British Columbia, south to Colorado.
Acronicta funeralis, the funerary dagger moth or paddle caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote and Coleman Townsend Robinson in 1866. It has a scattered distribution. It is found in North America from Manitoba to Nova Scotia, south to Maryland. It is also found in Georgia, Mississippi, Texas, and along the west-coast from California to British Columbia.
Acronicta hastulifera, the frosted dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found in the north-eastern United States as far south as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Acronicta heitzmani, or Heitzman's dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Charles V. Covell and Eric H. Metzler in 1992. It is found in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Ohio.
Acronicta vinnula, the delightful dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario.
Acronicta laetifica, the pleasant dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1897. It is found in North America from Nova Scotia to Florida, west to Texas, north to Manitoba.
Acronicta inclara, the unclear dagger moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by John Bernhardt Smith in 1900. It is found in north-eastern North America.
Acronicta immodica, the medium dagger, is a species of owlet moth in the family Noctuidae. It is found in eastern North America.
