Kingdom Animalia Family Noctuidae Scientific name Abagrotis alternata Higher classification Abagrotis Order Butterflies and moths | Subphylum Hexapoda Genus Abagrotis Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | |
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Similar Abagrotis, Butterflies and moths, Agnorisma badinodis, Achatia distincta, Xestia dolosa | ||
The greater red dart or mottled gray cutworm (Abagrotis alternata) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in Eastern North America, from New Brunswick west across southern Canada to western Alberta, south to Arizona, New Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.
The wingspan is 38–43 mm. Adults are on wing in August in Alberta. There is one generation per year.
The larvae feed on a wide range of plants. In eastern North America they can become pests on vegetable crops and in some fruit trees, damaging buds and new growth. Recorded food plants include white spruce, walnut, hickories, oak, strawberry, apple, cherry, plum, peach, potato and tomato.
Abagrotis alternata' does not have a significant economic impact despite its prevalence in the northern United States.
