kids encyclopedia robot

Black zigzag facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Black zigzag
Panthea acronyctoides1.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
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)

Panthea acronyctoides, the black zigzag or tufted spruce caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1861. It is found in North America from Newfoundland to British Columbia and adjacent northern states, south in the west to Colorado, south in the east to New England and Kentucky.

Panthea acronyctoides2
Male Panthea acronyctoides acronyctoides
Panthea acronyctoides nigra
Male (top) and female Panthea acronyctoides nigra

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 (Walker, 1861)
  • Panthea acronyctoides nigra Anweiler, 2009
kids search engine
Black zigzag Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.