Dark or Grey Dagger
by
Shop
Acronicta tridens or psi
Very common throughout England, Wales & Ireland, scarcer in Scotland.
The Larva of Acronicta psi is quite hairy, greyish or brownish below and black above, with red spots along the sides and a bold yellow stripe along the back.
It has a distinctive horn just behind the head (absent from the larva of Dark Dagger).
The Larvae feeds on Blackthorn, Hawthorns, Apple, Birches, Sweet Chestnut, Limes, Elms & Rowans.
These Moths have grey forewings with bold black dagger-shaped markings.
The hindwings are dirty grey, generally paler in the Male.
The Grey Dagger flies at night from June to August and is attracted to light and sometimes to sugar.