Venerable Dart
Agrotis venerablis
OWLET MOTHS (Noctuidae)
The Venerable Dart has a wingspan of 1.5 inches. The forewing is brownish gray with dark costal shading that does not reach the apex. The claviform spot is a long, black dash. The long, gray orbicular spot is outlined with white. The hindwing is grayish-brown. The males have bipectinate antennae. The caterpillar is shiny gray to dark gray with black spiracles. It grows to under 1.75 inches.
The frequency of occurrence in this area is not known, but in some agricultural areas it is very common. It has been photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in early October 2016. Adults fly from late August to October. It is found in all of the U.S. and coast to coast in southern Canada. There is one generation a year.
The caterpillar is also called Dusky Cutworm. The larvae are general feeders on low grasses, forbs and agricultural crops including alfalfa, chickweed, corn, tobacco and tomato. The species overwinters as a caterpillar.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Babs Padelford.