Yorkshire Status: Fairly common resident.

Every year we receive many records of Dark or Grey Dagger without any confirmatory evidence that the genitalia have been checked. The two of course are not separable by forewing characteristics and must be dissected for a positive identification. This is one of the easiest pair of moths to distinguish in this way, and if you have a steady hand, nerves of steel and excellent close vision - or a x10 hand lens if you haven't, it is possible to do it without killing the moth. The larvae are very different. Whereas Grey Dagger is widespread across most of the UK, Dark Dagger does not occur in Scotland, and we are near its northern limit. It is interesting to look at the relative frequencies of the two species. Grey Dagger larvae out number Dark Dagger by five to one. Looking at adults where the genitalia have been checked, the ratio is three to one. This discrepancy may be caused by selectively choosing moths that look like Dark Dagger (shinier, narrower wing) to dissect. Grey Dagger seems to be widespread across the county whereas Dark Dagger tends to be rare on the higher ground. Larvae have been found on hawthorn, blackthorn, birch, dog rose, hazel and rowan in the county. It is difficult to give any statistics on how well this species is doing in Yorkshire.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: Only distinguishable from A. psi (Linnaeus) by the genitalia or as a larva, this species is probably much under-recorded as a result. Recently there are a few probable or actually confirmed records and in at least one area of the County it seems more common than A. psi.

	Determination by Genitalia Examination (gen. det.) Required

Recorded in 56 (28%) of 200 10k Squares. First Recorded in 1883. Last Recorded in 2023. Additional Stats

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