DAGGER moths
Interrupted Dagger. These are fairly common at my lights. I have found several individuals from April through September.
Ochre Dagger. This moth has a telltale golden streak on its head. I have found two Ochre Daggers at my lights, one on June 18, 2016, and this individual on May 22, 2023.
This is an American Dagger moth. This species is noteworthy among dagger moths for its large size.
I have found several American Dagger moths at my lights from late May through August.
Ruddy Dagger, also known as the Hackberry Dagger moth. I find these moths at my lights from April through July.
Radcliffe's Dagger, photographed August 13, 2023 at my moth lights. This is my only sighting of the species.
Greater Oak Dagger. I have found a couple of these moths at my lights in late April and early May.
Many species of dagger moths are difficult to identify, but this Funerary Dagger is unique for the striking black mask-like shape on its wings. Their larvae, known as "paddle caterpillars," are equally distinctive.
Another Greater Oak Dagger at my black lights. Note the three outer black dashes and two inner black dashes on each wing.
Another Interrupted Dagger at my UV lights.
Cottonwood Dagger moth. This is not a very common species. I have only found two individuals at my lights, both in May 2024.
Can you spot the Interrupted Dagger hiding on the rock below? The black streaks on the moth's wings blend in with the natural dark cracks on this rock. I assume this is how dagger moths camouflage themselves in nature. This is not a posed photograph. This Interrupted Dagger moth picked out his own hiding spot on a rock which I use to weigh down one corner of my moth sheet. I almost missed seeing this moth because he was so well camouflaged!
Cherry Dagger Moth (also known as the Speared Dagger Moth). I have found a couple of individuals at my lights in April and June.
I have only found two Funerary Dagger moths at my lights (June 14, 2024 and August 26, 2025).