Greater Red Dart Moth (NPS Catoctin Mountain Park Butterflies and Moths)

Greater Red Dart Moth

Abagrotis alternata

Summary ³

The Greater Red Dart or Mottled Gray Cutworm (Abagrotis alternata) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Eastern North America, from New Brunswick west across southern Canada to western Alberta, south to Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.

Habitat ⁴

Open woodland, shrubby areas, gardens and orchards, etc.

Life cycle ⁵

Abagrotis alternata have a single annual brood, with adults appearing in late summer. The larvae have been described and illustrated by Rings (1971). They are climbing cutworms and general feeders on a range of plants. In eastern North America they occasionally become serious pests on vegetable crops and in particular fruit trees, where they damage buds and new growth. The young larvae overwinter, and are reported to feed on dead leaves during the winter in warmer areas, developing through several instars and switching to new growth when it appears in spring. The adults are attracted to both light and sugar baits.

Sources and Credits

(c) Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildreturn/19113082512/
(c) Jim Vargo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/Files1/JV/300/JV11029-300-38.jpg
(c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abagrotis_alternata
(c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31885002
(c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/31885003

More Info

Range Map

iNat Map

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