Master's Dart
Common NameMaster's Dart
Scientific NameAgrotis ipsilon
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black, white
HabitatAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (all continents except Antarctica)
Host Plantscorn, cotton, tobacco, vegetables, grasses, legumes
Flight PeriodYear-round in warmer climates, spring to autumn in temperate regions (multiple generations)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as cutworms, are polyphagous pests that feed at night, often cutting young plants at the soil line. Pupation occurs in the soil, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the distinctive black dagger-like mark on the forewing, the overall dark, mottled forewing coloration, and the pale hindwings with dark veins and a dark margin.
Description
A medium-sized, robust moth with dark brown to grayish-brown forewings featuring a prominent black dagger-like mark and lighter kidney-shaped and round spots. The hindwings are pale with dark veins and a dark border.
