Insect · GBIF taxon 1771245
Ipsilon Dart Moth
Agrotis ipsilonAlso known as Dark Sword-Grass, Black Cutworm Moth, Greasy Cutworm Moth, Floodplain Cutworm Moth
Ipsilon dart moths are renowned long-distance migrants capable of crossing entire continents and oceans on atmospheric wind currents each spring and autumn. Their caterpillars, known as black cutworms, hide in soil by day and emerge at night to sever seedling stems right at ground level. Adults feed on flower nectar and rotting fruit, using subtle dagger-like dark forewing markings to blend seamlessly into tree bark during daylight hours.
MigratoryNocturnalAgricultural Pest
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Nectar
- Fruit Juices
- Plant Stems
Predators
- Bats
- Birds
- Ground Beetles
ThreatsPesticide application and habitat alteration
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, and pastures
Life span1 to 2 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNoctuidae
- GenusAgrotis
- SpeciesAgrotis ipsilon
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Light Trapping: Observe adults by setting up a blacklight sheet on warm humid nights.
- Gardening Inspection: Check the soil surface around severed seedlings to spot hidden caterpillars.
Crop Competitor (c) Bernie Paquette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bernie Paquette · cc-by
Co-occurring Pest (c) Peter Waycik, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Peter Waycik · cc-by
Co-occurring Pest Close Relative
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Species set
Moonlight Marvels
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