Swordsman Dart
Common NameSwordsman Dart
Scientific NameAgrotis ipsilon
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black
HabitatAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, meadows, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (worldwide except Antarctica)
Host Plantscorn, cotton, tobacco, various vegetables, grasses, weeds
Flight PeriodSpring to autumn (multiple generations, varies by region)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as black cutworms, feed nocturnally on young plants at or below the soil surface. Pupation occurs in an earthen cell in the soil, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsKey features include the prominent dark, dagger-shaped mark on the forewing, the overall mottled brown and grey coloration, and a robust body. Hindwings are typically pale with darker veins.
Description
A medium-sized, robust moth with cryptically patterned forewings in shades of brown, grey, and black, often featuring a distinctive dagger-like mark.
