Bug FAQUnmarked Dagger
Acronicta innotata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Unmarked Dagger Moth
Source: Wikipedia
Acronicta innotata, known as the unmarked dagger moth, belongs to the Noctuidae family. It lives across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia and in northern US states, reaching as far south as North Carolina and Kentucky. Adults are on the wing from May through August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The unmarked dagger moth is a member of the Noctuidae family.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan measures about 35 to 40 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are active from May to August, varying with location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth’s flight period spans May through August depending on where it lives.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range covers much of Canada and the northern United States, reaching southward to the eastern states of North Carolina and Kentucky.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 25 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, North Carolina, West Virginia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult unmarked dagger moths active?
Adults are on the wing from May to August, with timing depending on the region.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is this moth found in North America?
It occurs from Newfoundland to British Columbia and in northern US states, reaching south to North Carolina and Kentucky.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acronicta_innotata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.