DART MOTHS
Venerable Dart. Note the silvery fur collar or "muffler" around its head.
Master's Dart, one of the more beautiful dart moths. Fresh individuals have a faint purplish color.
Dingy Cutworm moth. This beautiful moth needs a better name. It is very similar to the Subgothic and Tricose Darts (see above), but those species lack the white streaks extending from the lower corner of the reniform spot.
Swordsman Dart, a very cool name. This is the only Swordsman Dart that I have found. Photographed at my moth lights on September 28, 2023.
Another Dingy Cutworm moth. These moths visit my lights in the month of September.
I have found several Master's Darts at my lights, in late August and September.
This moth is one of two Feltia species - either the Subgothic Dart or Tricose Dart. These species are difficult to tell apart in photos. Note that it has more white streaking, especially along the outer wing margin, than the Master's Darts above. I find Subgothic/ Tricose Darts from late August through October.
Another Venerable Dart. I have found a few individuals at my lights, in late September and early October.
Greater Black-letter Dart. These are common at my lights from late May through October. Note that there is a nearly identical species, the Lesser Black-letter Dart, but it has a smaller wingspan. All of the individuals that I have measured in my yard, including this one, are in the size range for Greater Black-letter Darts. I have not yet found the Lesser one.
