Feltia jaculifera is a complex of probably six or more sibling species, at least two of which occur in Alberta. These cannot by separated to species using normal means. In spite of extensive studies "jaculifera" is still best treated as a single "species" (Anweiler - E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum, University of Alberta).
Feltia jaculifera is a medium-size moth (35 - 40 mm wingspan) with dark forewings broken up by a pattern of pale longitudinal streaks and spots. There is a long thick black basal dash, which includes the claviform spot, that is crossed by two narrow lines in the basal half. A pale median streak curves down at the anal angle to meet the one running along the lower margin of the wing. The costa is also pale, and is linked to the top of the pale reniform mad orbicular spots. The subterminal line is a series of pale streaks following the veins. The hindwing varies from white with light fuscous shading along the margin to mostly fuscous, but is usually dirty white with a broad diffuse darker margin (Powell and Opler, 2009).
Shropshire and Tallamy (2025) provide a list, with synonymies, of 13,055 described native, exotic, and occasional straying Lepidoptera species of North America, north of Mexico; known but undescribed taxa, taxa with unresolved taxonomy, and excluded species are also included. The
main manuscript includes links to supplementary materials, including a reference list for Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, and a filterable spreadsheet with information on taxonomy, synonymy, size ranges of species, distribution by state, province, and country with references, and host-plant Family and Genus associations with references.
Adult Dingy Cutworm Moths fly from late June to early November. They can be seen flying in many areas including fields, gardens, waste areas. Adults are nocturnal. However, in more arid areas adults can be found nectaring and resting on composite flowers such as Helianthus, Grindelia, and Solidago (Asteraceae) in the late afternoon (Powell and Opler 2009). Females will oviposit in flower heads, particularly in the heads of Asteraceae. There is a single annual brood. The larvae overwinter and emerge in the spring. They overwinter as partially grown (third and fourth instar) larvae (Anweiler 2007).
The Dingy Cutworm Moth is found in open habitats, in particular, native grasslands. It is also found in riparian edges, meadows, and other open areas (Anweiler 2007).
Shropshire and Tallamy (2025) provide a link to a supplemental filterable spreadsheet with information on host-plant Family and Genus associations with references for all Lepidoptera species of North America, north of Mexico.
Young larvae may have specific feeding requirements, but later instars are general feeders on a variety of herbs and forbs (Anweiler 2007).
