American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana)

Order: Lepidoptera (le-pid-OP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Noctuidae (nok-TOO-ih-dee) (Info) Genus: Acronicta Species: americana (a-mer-ih-KAY-na) (Info) Profile: 3 positives No neutrals 1 negative Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: West Granby, Connecticut Dahlonega, Georgia Cary, Illinois Cicero, Illinois Millersville, Maryland Abington, Massachusetts North Billerica, Massachusetts Dearborn Heights, Michigan Kalamazoo, Michigan Roseville, Michigan Royal Oak, Michigan Osseo, Minnesota St Cloud, Minnesota Plattsmouth, Nebraska Canterbury, New Hampshire Brookside, New Jersey Hillsborough, New Jersey Buffalo, New York Fairport, New York Barberton, Ohio Glouster, Ohio North Zanesville, Ohio Albion, Pennsylvania Allentown, Pennsylvania Leesburg, Virginia Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Positive DiOhio On Jan 21, 2007, DiOhio from Corning, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: The larvae to this moth can have white to yellowish setae of variable length. Host plants include many trees such as alders, ashes, birches, elms, hickories, maples, oaks, poplars, walnuts, and willows. Two generations in the south, one in the north. Positive JeanieLR On Sep 2, 2007, JeanieLR from Dahlonega, GA wrote: This caterpiller was discovered on my new autumn flame maple. I purchased the tree this week at the local nursery, planted it, mulched it, and of course basked in the beauty of the tree. This morning I discovered and removed the caterpiller, only one on it, and put it in a jar with some more maple leaves. Tomorrow I will return it to the wild, but not the maple in my front yard. Who knows, maybe it will be a moth, but then again it may be dinner for a bird. I've enjoyed reading about it and learning. Positive ThomasGary On Sep 28, 2008, ThomasGary from West Granby, CT wrote: My son, Thomas, found the Dagger Moth in our yard Sept 26th 2008. Thomas was very careful handling and setting it free where it was first found. Negative Missiospes On Apr 23, 2013, Missiospes from Royal Oak, MI wrote: WARNING: MAY CAUSE EXTREME ALLERGIC REACTION. While I have only seen a dagger moth a few times, every time I have had a violent allergic reaction. I was the type of kid who played with bugs, I'll be honest, I am the kind of adult who plays with bugs. Caterpillars bring me joy. These caterpillars are very beautiful. I have touched it about 3 times, all as a young child. The nest day I wake up with quarter sized itchy welts all over my body and fever that last for a few days. The welts lasted more than two weeks. The first time I was with my grandmother and the second time I was with a babysitter. It took for my mom to actually see the caterpillar for her to figure out what was causing this strange illness. Because the reaction didn't present until the next day it was hard to put it together.

By ladygardener1 By ladygardener1 By DiOhio By DiOhio By daistuff By bluegilln By DaylilySLP There are a total of 17 photos. Click here to view them all!