Noctuidae

73.038 Grey Dagger Acronicta psi (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species: Dark Dagger Acronicta tridens check genitalia.

Forewing: 17 to 20mm

Habitats: Deciduous woodland, scrub on calcareous grassland, hedgerows, scrub on heathland, marshes, fens and gardens.

Habits: The moth nectars at flowers after dark. It comes to light and sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds on birches, sallows, oaks, limes, Sweet Chestnut, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, apples, wild roses, garden roses, Rowan, elms and many other deciduous trees and shrubs. It pupates in a cocoon under bark, in a bark crevice or in rotten wood.

On the European mainland it has also been recorded feeding on Alder, poplars and Hazel.