Panthea acronyctoides

Panthea acronyctoides
Black Zigzag
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Panthea
Species: P. acronyctoides
Binomial name
Panthea acronyctoides
Walker, 1861
Synonyms
  • Audela acronyctoides Walker, 1861
  • Panthea leucomelana Morrison, 1876
  • Diphthera acronyctoides Walker, 1861, Draudt, 1924 in Seitz, 1924
  • Panthea albosuffusa McDunnough, 1937 (form)

The Black Zigzag or Tufted Spruce Caterpillar (Panthea acronyctoides) is a species of moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in from Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the west to Colorado, south in the east to New England and Kentucky.

Caterpillar
Panthea acronyctoides acronyctoides male
Panthea acronyctoides nigra male (top), female (bottom)

The wingspan is 30–35 mm. The moth flies from May to August depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Balsam Fir, Eastern Hemlock, Eastern Larch, Pines, and Spruces.

Subspecies

There are two recognised subspecies:

  • Panthea acronyctoides acronyctoides
  • Panthea acronyctoides nigra

External links