The Ipsilon Dart has a wingspan of about 1.25 to 2 inches. The forewing is brown with tan and black markings. The costa of the male has dark reddish brown to black along the side. The forewing of the female is mostly dark brown or black to the postmedian line. The hindwing is light gray with dark veins and grayish-brown shading. The caterpillar grows to about 1.75 inches long. It can be tan to brown to black with 2 light stripes on the top. The head is dark with a pale triangle. This moth was identified by volunteer experts at the BugGuide Website.
The Ipsilon Dart is common in the US and is probably common in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It has been photographed in Fontenelle Forest in mid-October and mid-November. Adults are attracted to lights.
The larvae feed on many cultivated plants including clover, corn, lettuce and grasses. The larva can be a major pest on commercial farms. Other common names for this species are Greasy Cutworm and Swordgrass Moth.
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