Clostera jocosa
(Edwards, 1886)
Clostera jocosa is a of prominent in the Notodontidae, first described by Edwards in 1886. It belongs to the Clostera, which comprises moths commonly known as "chocolate-tip" or "prominent" moths due to their characteristic wing patterns. The species is documented in the Catalogue of Life and has very few observations on iNaturalist, suggesting it may be rare, underreported, or restricted in range. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have larvae that feed on willow or poplar (Salicaceae), though specific records for this species have not been confirmed.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Clostera jocosa: /ˈklɒstərə dʒəˈkoʊsə/
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Distribution
Specific geographic distribution is not well documented. The was described from North America (type locality not specified in available sources). iNaturalist records are extremely limited (2 observations), suggesting either a restricted range or low detection rate.
Similar Taxa
- Clostera strigosaOverlaps in North American range; both are medium-sized Clostera with similar forewing pattern elements. C. strigosa is more frequently encountered and better documented.
- Clostera albosigmaShares characteristics including overall size and wing shape; distinguished by more prominent white markings on forewings.
More Details
Data Deficiency
This has only 2 observations on iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff, indicating significant gaps in public occurrence data. It may be genuinely rare, cryptic, or simply underreported due to identification challenges or specificity.
Taxonomic Note
The Clostera was historically placed in Pygaeridae or as a Pygaerinae within Notodontidae; modern classifications (including Catalogue of Life) treat Pygaerinae as a subfamily of Notodontidae.