Insects Active at night

Soothsayer Dart

Graphiphora augur

iNaturalist Wikipedia

A master of the midnight garden, the Soothsayer Dart is recognized by its mysterious 'dart' markings and earthy camouflage. This resilient moth is a frequent visitor to backyard sugar stations across the Northern Hemisphere.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan of 35–42 mm (1.4–1.7 inches); body length approximately 18–22 mm.

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Colors

Forewings are typically a drab grayish-brown to reddish-brown; hindwings are a uniform pale smoky gray. Distinctive black-outlined spots on the forewings.

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Key Features

Prominent kidney-shaped (reniform) and circular (orbicular) spots outlined in black
A small, dark horizontal dash or 'dart' at the base of the forewing
Subtle wavy transverse lines across the wing
Dull, silken texture to the wing scales

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active at night

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Peak hours 10 PM - 3 AM

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Season June-August

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Diet Adults feed on floral nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit. Larvae are generalists, consuming the leaves of birch, willow, cherry, and various herbaceous garden plants.

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Habitat Woodland edges, suburban gardens, hedgerows, meadows, and open riparian zones.

Behavior

The Soothsayer Dart is a strictly nocturnal moth that spends its daylight hours tucked away in dense foliage or crevices, relying on its earthy coloration to blend in with bark and dried leaves. Once dusk falls, they become active flyers, seeking out nectar-rich flowers or fermenting fruit and tree sap. Unlike some more frantic moth species, the Soothsayer Dart often appears quite docile when feeding or resting near a light source.

As a member of the Noctuidae family, it follows a standard life cycle of one generation per year in most of its range. The larvae, often called 'cutworms,' emerge in late summer and overwinter as partially grown caterpillars. They are generalist feeders, meaning they aren't picky eaters, which allows the species to thrive in various environments without being tied to a single host plant.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality images of the Soothsayer Dart, you should utilize a technique known as 'sugar baiting.' Mix a thick slurry of overripe bananas, brown sugar, and a bit of molasses or dark beer. Paint this mixture in a square patch on a tree trunk at eye level. Mount your AI camera on a tripod or a nearby branch, focusing specifically on the center of the bait patch. The moths will be drawn to the scent and stay relatively still while feeding, allowing for crisp, detailed shots of their wing patterns.

If you prefer using light traps, hang a white bedsheet vertically and shine a UV or mercury vapor light onto it. Position your camera about 15-20 inches away from the sheet on a tripod. The Soothsayer Dart is particularly attracted to ultraviolet spectrums and will often land on the sheet and remain motionless for several minutes. Set your camera to a macro or close-focus mode to capture the fine details of the 'dart' markings and the orbicular spots.

Because these moths are active in total darkness, your camera's infrared (IR) flash is essential. However, to avoid 'hot spots' or overexposure on the moth's reflective scales, try to diffuse the light or angle the camera slightly to the side rather than head-on. Mid-summer nights with high humidity and no moon are the peak times for activity; if it is a warm, overcast night, you are almost guaranteed to see them at your station.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Soothsayer Dart.

Double Square-spot

Features a prominent dark square or rectangular bridge between the two main wing spots, whereas the Soothsayer Dart has simpler black outlines.

Lesser Yellow Underwing

While similar in forewing color, this species reveals bright yellow or orange hindwings when it flies, unlike the pale gray hindwings of the Soothsayer Dart.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Soothsayer Dart is strictly nocturnal, typically becoming active about an hour after sunset and remaining on the wing until just before dawn. They are most frequently observed at light sources between 10 PM and 2 AM.

The best way to attract them is by 'sugaring'—painting a mixture of fermented fruit and sugar onto tree trunks—or by setting up a UV light station near a white sheet.

Adults drink nectar from flowers and liquid from rotting fruit or sap flows. Their caterpillars are generalists that eat the leaves of many trees and shrubs, including willow and birch.

Yes, they are very common in suburban gardens, especially those with diverse plantings and nearby trees, as they are highly adaptable generalists.

Look for the specific 'double dart' pattern: a small black dash at the base and the black-outlined kidney and round spots on a dull brown wing. Similar species like the Double Square-spot usually have more distinct, dark square patches between the spots.

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