Insect · GBIF taxon 1782822
Funerary Dagger
Acronicta funeralisAlso known as Funerary Dagger Moth, Paddle Caterpillar
Funerary dagger moths wear a stark gray and black adult pattern that provides seamless camouflage against forest bark during the day. Their extraordinary larvae, commonly known as paddle caterpillars, display a velvety black body paired with bright yellow patches and unusual, paddle-shaped bristles along their sides. Emerging in hardwood canopy habitats across North America, these caterpillars feed quietly on leaves before dropping to the forest floor to pupate in soft wood or leaf litter.
Noctuidae MothPaddle CaterpillarCryptic Pattern
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Birch leaves
- Alder leaves
- Willow leaves
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Bats
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsHabitat loss, pesticide spraying, and severe light pollution
HabitatsDeciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, parks, and suburban gardens
Life span1–2 years (including overwintering pupal stage)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNoctuidae
- GenusAcronicta
- SpeciesAcronicta funeralis
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
- Attract Adults: Set up a blacklight and white sheet in damp hardwood forests on warm summer nights.
- Inspect Foliage: Search the upper surface of low birch and alder leaves in late summer for caterpillars.
- Gentle Observation: Avoid heavy handling of caterpillars to protect their delicate paddle-like bristles.
Host Plant no rights reserved, uploaded by Dezene Huber · cc0
Predator (c) Fyn Kynd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Kimberely G., some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Gilles San Martin · cc-by-sa
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Funerary Dagger is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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