Bug FAQClear and Strigulose Daggers and Allies
Acronicta clarescens · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Clear Dagger Moth, Clear Dagger
Source: Wikipedia
The clear dagger moth (Acronicta clarescens) has a wingspan of about 40 mm. It lives across North America. Adults are on the wing from May to August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Acronicta clarescens, known as the clear dagger moth, belongs to the Noctuidae family.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Its wingspan measures roughly 40 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is found throughout North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults fly from May through August, with timing varying by region.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active during the months of May to August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The species is native to North America.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It is a clear dagger moth in the Noctuidae family, matching its scientific name.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 37 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Michigan, Mississippi, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult clear dagger moths active?
Adults are on the wing from May to August, with exact timing depending on where you live.
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_clarescens
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.