Caterpillars of Eastern Forests

Lobelia Dagger Moth (Acronicta lobeliae)

Grayish to charcoal with tan to yellow middorsal and sometimes faint subdorsal stripes. Top of head, frontal triangle, and jaws black or pale and mottled; red patches over vertex; and area around triangle often grayed or whitened, without dark pigmentation. Thoracic hair tufts each with 1 very long black seta that extends forward about head. Dorsum with tannish or orangish patches on first 7 abdominal segments; eighth segment with square of raised warts, anterior pair often darkened. Long, soft white setae along sides. Food: cherries and especially oaks. Caterpillar: May to October; 2 or more generations.

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