# Smeared Dagger (*Acronicta oblinita*) The Smeared Dagger is a special caterpillar that turns into a beautiful moth. It has fuzzy, colorful hairs that help it blend into its surroundings and stay safe from predators. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Smeared Dagger](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Acronicta_oblinita1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mike Boone, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acronicta_oblinita1.jpg) ## Appearance The Smeared Dagger is a medium-sized moth with mottled gray and brown forewings, often marked with darker "dagger" shapes. Its hindwings are plain white. The caterpillar is distinctively black with yellow bands and rows of long, stiff, reddish-brown urticating hairs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Noctuidae - **Genus:** Acronicta ## Interesting facts - It builds a cozy cocoon out of silk and its own irritating hairs. - The adult moth doesn't eat, only sips nectar, saving its energy for laying eggs! - The caterpillar can munch on leaves for weeks before turning into a moth! - You can spot this moth flying around at night during warmer months. ## Special abilities - **Sneaky Shades:** The adult moth's mottled wings blend perfectly with tree bark, helping it hide from predators during the day. - **Leafy Feaster:** Its caterpillars can eat leaves from many different plants, helping them find food in diverse habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 8 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding As a caterpillar, it loves to munch on leaves from various wetland plants and trees! - **Age differences:** Yes, caterpillars eat leaves, while adult moths primarily seek nectar or do not feed. - **Primary Foods:** Willow leaves, Alder leaves, Maple leaves, Cranberry leaves, Dogwood leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Black Willow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-willow) (*Salix nigra*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Larvae consume its foliage. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Sparrows might prey on adult moths or caterpillars. - **Parasitizes:** Tobacco Hornworm Parasitoid Wasp (*Cotesia congregata*) — Wasp larvae grow inside the caterpillar. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch caterpillars without asking an adult, as some can be prickly or have hairs that irritate the skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Smeared Dagger? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Smeared Dagger's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Smeared Dagger? 15-20 mm ### How long does Smeared Dagger live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Smeared Dagger fly? 8 km/h ### What does Smeared Dagger eat? As a caterpillar, it loves to munch on leaves from various wetland plants and trees! ### Where is Smeared Dagger usually found? Forests ### How does Smeared Dagger hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Gary City Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gary-city-center-historic-district) — Indiana, US · Historic District - [Geauga Park District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geauga-park-district) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Tom S. Cooperrider-Kent Bog State Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tom-s-cooperrider-kent-bog-state-nature-preserve) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Ste. Genevieve Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ste-genevieve-historic-district) — Missouri, US · Historic District - [The John Fairey Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/the-john-fairey-garden) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Wickford Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/wickford-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see Smeared Dagger](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/smeared-dagger) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Smeared Dagger: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/smeared-dagger)