Black Cutworm vs

Agrotis ipsilon compared with Coleroa chaetomium

Key Differences

  • Black Cutworm is Least Concern while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Black Cutworm
Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class Insecta (Insects) Dothideomycetes (Dothideomycetes)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) Venturiales (Venturiales)
Family Noctuidae Venturiaceae
Genus Agrotis Coleroa
Species Agrotis ipsilon Coleroa chaetomium

Conservation Status

Black Cutworm

LC — Least Concern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Black Cutworm
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Black Cutworm

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (7 countries), Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and South America (Chile).

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.

Black Cutworm

The Black Cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) is a species in the genus Agrotis. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the. Widely distributed across Africa (7 countries), Asia (Taiwan), Europe (5 countries), North America (Canada, United Stat...

Coleroa chaetomium is a phytopathogenic ascomycete fungus in the family Phacidiaceae (order Rhytismatales), recognized as a cause of leaf spot diseases on various herbaceous plants and grasses. Members of the genus Coleroa produce characteristic black, setose (bristle-bearing) apothecia on infected plant tissue, serving as the primary identification feature. The fungus overwinters in dead plant material, releasing ascospores in spring to infect new growth. While typically regarded as a minor pathogen or saprophyte on senescent tissue, it can occasionally cause significant spotting and premature leaf drop under favorable conditions of high moisture and moderate temperatures. Coleroa chaetomium has been recorded from a range of host plants across temperate regions of Europe and North America, with some records extending to other continents. Its taxonomy has been subject to revision as molecular techniques clarify relationships within the Rhytismatales. The ecological role of Coleroa species includes contributing to the decomposition of plant litter and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, functioning at the interface between parasitism and saprotrophism. More detailed ecological studies of this fungus remain limited compared to economically significant pathogens.

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