Acronicta tridens

Irish status: Widespread

Dark Dagger - A night flying moth which flies from June to July. Hawthorn being one of the main food sources. This moth cannot visibly be distinguished from the Grey Dagger. Reference usually has to be made to the genitalia for confirmation. This one photographed on my garage wall at Greaghnafarna Co. Leitrim is recorded as Dark Dagger for appearance purposes only but could be either.