Black Cutworm vs Common Ground-Pine

Agrotis ipsilon compared with Dendrolycopodium obscurum

Key Differences

  • Black Cutworm is Least Concern while Common Ground-Pine is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Black Cutworm Common Ground-Pine
Kingdom Animalia (Animals) Plantae (Plants)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods) Tracheophyta
Class Insecta (Insects) Lycopodiopsida (Lycopodiopsida)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths) Lycopodiales (Lycopodiales)
Family Noctuidae Lycopodiaceae
Genus Agrotis Dendrolycopodium
Species Agrotis ipsilon Dendrolycopodium obscurum

Conservation Status

Black Cutworm

LC — Least Concern

Common Ground-Pine

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Black Cutworm Common Ground-Pine
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).

Common Ground-Pine

Habitat

Native to North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Canada and United States.

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...

Common Ground-Pine

The common ground pine, <em>Dendrolycopodium obscurum</em>, is a vascular plant belonging to the family Lycopodiaceae, a lineage of ancient clubmosses. This species is typically found across North America, with its known range encompassing Canada and the United States. As a lycophyte, <em>Dendrolycopodium obscurum</em> represents a deeply divergent lineage among land plants, distinct from mosses and ferns. The species typically grows in moist forested habitats, particularly in coniferous and mixed woodlands where humidity and leaf litter provide suitable conditions for its growth. Its upright, tree-like sporophylls give it the common name ground pine. No dietary information has been provided for this species. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia