73.038 BF2284 – Grey Dagger – Acronicta psi – (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult Macro: CAT 4 – Dissection required – 
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Generally Common / Widespread
– care required in the identification process, as confusion with similar species is likely – quality photographs required. Confusion Species: Dark Dagger (A. tridens)
ID pointers: Dark Dagger tends to have more shinier forewing, which in the male is often narrower, with a white hind-wing without dark veins or dusting. Male Dark Dagger tends to have a narrower thorax than Grey Dagger. Both the lightest and darkest individuals tend to be Grey Dagger. The black dagger like markings are said to resemble the Greek letter psi, this is how it got its scientific name. The hind wings are a dirty grey and generally not as white as Dark Dagger.
Distribution: A resident species that is widely distributed and generally fairly common. Accurate status is difficult due to close resemblances to Dark Dagger – Acronicta tridens. More commonly found in the lowland areas of the Trent valley. The only sure way of identification is by the differences in caterpillars or by Gen Det. Grey Dagger caterpillar has a yellow dorsal stripe, whilst Dark Dagger caterpillar has a red dorsal stripe. If a Gen.Det is not possible, then record as Dark/Grey Dagger agg. However, of the two species, Grey Dagger is the most likely to be encountered in the county.
One identified by Gen Det 19/6/2021 Hathersage.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 10 February 2026 by TD ***
Forewing: 17-20mm
Blue-coded] moths is not displayed/updated in this tab. However, all verified records for this moth are listed in the RECORDS tab below. Selected Images: Melbourne – Tony Davison © – Dark/Grey Dagger agg / Shirland – Grey Dagger caterpillar – Nikki Barrow © 02/09/2024 / Hathersage Gen Det 19/6/2021 The late Claire Miles©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 2021 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 1978 - 2025)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
This chart summarises all available historical occurrence records collated by ISO week of the year. It reflects recorder effort and sampling distribution as well as true biological activity, and should be interpreted as an indicative pattern of seasonal occurrence rather than a statistically controlled abundance or phenology model.
Distribution Map for Acronicta psi
Found 50 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 17 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 33 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 17 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 33 from Before 2020
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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.
NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Acronicta psi
⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.
Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however,
the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.
Monthly Records By Year:
Acronicta psi
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Acronicta psi
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Acronicta psi
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required
Recordings By Year: Acronicta psi
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Acronicta psi
AGR: 0% | Total % Change: 0%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Acronicta psi
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Acronicta psi
Acronicta psi
Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.
Records Behind the Map and Charts - Acronicta psi – 50 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grasscroft Close, Chesterfield, England, GB | SK37R | 20/09/2025 | 1 | Larva | Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45446749 |
| Hardwick Hall Drive, Chesterfield, England, GB | SK46R | 16/09/2025 | 1 | Larva | keresleykate | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45403088 |
| Shirland - Hallfieldgate Lane | SK35Z | 02/09/2025 | 1 | larva | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC45035425 |
| Belper Private Butterfly NR | SK34U | 28/08/2025 | 1 | larva | Davidson, Nigel | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44883940 |
| The White Cottage, Brailsford, Ashbourne DEGH, UK | SK24K | 11/08/2025 | 1 | Adult | phillip p | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC44571131 |
| Pighills Lane, Dronfield, England, GB | SK37P | 26/06/2025 | 1 | Adult | petermoulam | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42655032 |
| Cote Heath Park, Buxton | SK07R | 02/10/2024 | 1 | Larva | Mortin, Jon | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38715918 |
| Rushdale avenue, Sheffield, South Yorkshire | SK38M | 17/09/2024 | 1 | larva | Ade Sills | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38521003 |
| Meersbrook, Sheffield S, UK | SK38M | 17/09/2024 | 1 | Larva | ade sills | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38609352 |
| Ilkeston | SK44Q | 17/08/2024 | 1 | larva | Sian Urquhart-Aldred | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC38034263 |
| Glossop, Derbyshire | SK09G | 02/10/2023 | 1 | larva | Crowshaw, Jack | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33268072 |
| Brailsford, Ashbourne DEGH, UK | SK24K | 11/08/2023 | 1 | Larva | phillip p | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33749517 |
| Ambergate | SK35K | 16/10/2022 | 2 | larva | Oakley, Lara | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC28424961 |
| Shirland - Hallfieldgate Lane | SK35Z | 22/09/2022 | 1 | Larva | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34936857 |
| Beeley to Rowsley | SK26U | 02/09/2022 | 1 | larva | Watchorn, Andrew | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC28010268 |
| Hathersage, Derbyshire, UK | SK28F | 19/06/2021 | 1 | adult | Miles, Claire | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC29593961 |
| Great Britain, Glossop, England, GB | SK09B | 30/08/2020 | 1 | Larva | blue76 | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22426685 |
| Great Britain, Glossop, England, GB | SK09I | 25/08/2019 | 1 | Larva | nargila | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC12238628 |
| Nottingham NGFY, UK | SK43V | 17/08/2019 | 1 | Larva | Arctic | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC32190340 |
| Lightwood | SK07M | 08/10/2018 | 1 | larva | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49168386 |
| Birch Vale | SK08I | 29/07/2017 | 1 | larva | Hewitt, Jane | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC40501202 |
| Ivy Leigh, Ticknall | SK32L | 09/09/2016 | 1 | Larva | Soar, Will | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34059753 |
| Ashbourne DE, UK | SK14Y | 07/08/2016 | 1 | Larva | ninjawil | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC9896287 |
| Jim Mart Nature Reserve | SK36S | 17/10/2015 | 1 | Larva | Mahadevan, Nikki | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34908041 |
| Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield | SK34L | 26/09/2014 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKCFJ |
| Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments - plot ) | SK07R | 18/09/2013 | 1 | Larvae | S. Bell | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OLDV5 |
| Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield | SK34L | 14/09/2013 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJXQB |
| Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield | SK34L | 13/09/2013 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OLDUR |
| Millennium Meadow NR, Duffield | SK34L | 09/11/2012 | 1 | Larvae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OLAHL |
| Lancaster Ave,Sandiacre | SK43S | 11/10/2011 | 1 | Larvae | I.M. Viles | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OL541 |
| Derbyshire, UK | SK16Z | 22/09/2010 | 1 | Larva | Orridge, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC23065183 |
| Ashford in the Water | SK16Z | 22/09/2010 | 1 | Larvae | S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK58L |
| Wood Lane,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 11/09/2010 | 1 | Larvae | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJQP5 |
| Wood Lane, Newhall, Swadlincote | SK22V | 11/09/2010 | 1 | Larvae | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQGXG |
| Oaks Barn Cottage, Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell | SK26D | 04/09/2010 | 1 | Larvae | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKXM7 |
| High Peak Trail, nr Brassington | SK25M | 21/08/2010 | 1 | Larvae | K.R. Huston | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK4YJ |
| High Peak District, England, UK | SK18H | 15/08/2010 | 1 | Larva | Sansum, P.A. | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC22147117 |
| Norbury | SK14G | 01/10/2009 | 1 | Larvae | Dave Budworth;S.A. Orridge;S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKQU2 |
| The Mays,Malthouse Lane,Froggatt | SK27N | 19/09/2009 | 1 | Larvae | B. Barnacle;K. Barnacle | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPHNC |
| Castleton | SK18L | 10/09/2009 | 1 | Larvae | S.H. Hind | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OK2WF |
| Fairy Bank Rd,Hayfield | SK08I | 03/09/2006 | 1 | Larvae | S. Blackburn;S. Farrell | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJFTJ |
| Wood Lane,Newhall,Swadlincote | SK22V | 13/09/2004 | 1 | Larvae | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHR15 |
| Wood Lane, Newhall, Swadlincote | SK22V | 13/09/2004 | 1 | Larvae | Dave Budworth | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPFEJ |
| Dore,Sheffield | SK38A | 01/01/2003 | 1 | Larvae | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAGBV |
| Ford Lane,Allestree,Derby | SK34K | 02/09/1999 | 1 | Larvae | F.A. Jackson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI3NV |
| Ford Lane, Allestree, Derby | SK34K | 02/09/1999 | 1 | Larvae | F.A. Jackson | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ5RX |
| Lings Close,Ilkeston | SK44S | 13/08/1997 | 1 | Larvae | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OI363 |
| Lings Close,Ilkeston | SK44S | 18/10/1985 | 1 | Larvae | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OIRTD |
| Lings Close,Ilkeston | SK44S | 23/09/1978 | 1 | Larvae | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHXEK |
| Cotmanhay (canal), Ilkeston (site not precise) | SK44S | 02/09/1978 | 3 | Larvae | T. Duro | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OILGI |