Olceclostera angelica

(Grote, 1864)

Angel Moth

Olceclostera angelica, the angel , is a small to -sized moth in the . First described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1864, it occurs across eastern North America from Quebec and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Wisconsin and Ontario. are active from May through September in deciduous forest . The larval stage feeds specifically on ash (Fraxinus) and lilac (Syringa) leaves.

Olceclostera angelica by (c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John P Friel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Olceclostera angelica by (c) Christopher Zacharias, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Christopher Zacharias. Used under a CC-BY license.

- 7665 – Olceclostera angelica – Angel Moth (15875127769) by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Olceclostera angelica: //ɒlsɛˈklɒstərə ænˈd͡ʒɛlɪkə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The combination of modest size (32–42 mm wingspan), occurrence in eastern North deciduous forests, and period from May to September may help distinguish this from related apatelodids. However, specific diagnostic features separating O. angelica from such as O. magniplaga or O. seraphica are not documented in available sources. Identification likely requires examination of or larval association.

Images

Appearance

have a wingspan of 32–42 mm (1.3–1.7 in). Specific coloration and pattern details of adults are not well documented in available sources. Larval has not been described in the provided references.

Habitat

Deciduous forests. Specific microhabitat preferences within forests are not documented.

Distribution

North America: Quebec and Maine south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Wisconsin and Ontario. Distribution records from GBIF also include Vermont.

Seasonality

are on from May to September. Larval is not documented.

Diet

feed on leaves of Fraxinus (ash) and Syringa (lilac) . feeding habits are not documented.

Host Associations

Fraxinus - larval feed on leaves
Syringa - larval feed on leaves

Ecological Role

As a folivorous , contributes to in deciduous forest . Specific ecological interactions are not documented.

Similar Taxa

Olceclostera magniplagaSimilar size range and eastern North distribution; specific distinguishing features not documented in available sources
Olceclostera seraphicaCongeneric with overlapping range; identification requires detailed morphological examination

More Details

Taxonomic note

placement has varied historically; some sources list this in , but current (iNaturalist, GBIF, Catalogue of Life) place it in .

Research gaps

Detailed descriptions of , larval stages, sites, and specific behavioral traits appear to be lacking in accessible literature.