Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901
Clostera apicalis
This record describes Clostera apicalis (species). Recorded family: Notodontidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing gray with dark reddish/burgandy subapical patch; wings held tight to abdomen when at rest; PM line has white squiggle just below costa; median area crossed by diagonal whitish line from costa to inner margin; hindwing variably off-white to pale yellowish-brown Larva: body dusky-gray or brown with pale dorsal and subdorsal stripes, and abundant short white hairs; sides of abdomen with two or three pale wavy stripes; head reddish-brown with strong black mottling, often absent over vertex and posterior to eyes [adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles] Larvae often form communal nests of silk.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Noctuoidea
- Family
- Notodontidae (Prominent Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pygaerinae
- Genus
- Clostera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
northeastern and western United States, and across Canada, north to Northwest Territories
Seasonal Activity
adults fly from May to August larvae in August and September
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on leaves of birch, poplar, willow
Life History
two generations per year in the south; one in the far north Eggs (not fertile); larva; adult
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Clostera apicalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Robin McLeod; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , Ethan Kistler , marcie oconnor , Blocky , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901
What is Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901?
Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 (Clostera apicalis) is a species in the family Notodontidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901?
wingspan 26-31 mm
How do you identify Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901?
Adult: forewing gray with dark reddish/burgandy subapical patch; wings held tight to abdomen when at rest; PM line has white squiggle just below costa; median area crossed by diagonal whitish line from costa to inner margin; hindwing variably off-white to pale yellowish-brown Larva: body dusky-gray or brown with pale dorsal and subdorsal stripes, and abundant short white hairs; sides of abdomen with two or three pale wavy stripes; head reddish-brown with strong black mottling, often absent over vertex and posterior to eyes [adapted from description by David Wagner and Valerie Giles]
Where is Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 found?
Range: northeastern and western United States, and across Canada, north to Northwest Territories
What does Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 eat?
The diet of the Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 includes larvae feed on leaves of birch, poplar, willow.
When is Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901 active?
Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901: seasonal activity - adults fly from May to August larvae in August and September.
What is the life cycle of a Apical Prominent - Hodges#7901?
two generations per year in the south; one in the far north Eggs (not fertile); larva; adult