Page 512 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Notodontidae
TRIBUTION
DIS
DISTRIBUTION Europe and across Asia to China, Korea, and Japan
DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT T Wet woodlands; only shingle banks in United Kingdom
A
HABITAT
HABIT
HOS T PLANT S Poplar (Populus spp.) and willow (Salix spp.)
HOST PLANTS
HOST PLANTS
NO TE Hairy caterpillar that has rows of black and orange spots
NOTE
NOTE
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but scarce or rare in parts of its range
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ in (37 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (30 mm)
CLOSTERA ANACHORETA
SCARCE CHOCOLATE-TIP
510
(DENIS & SCHIFFERMÜLLER, 1775)

Female Scarce Chocolate-tip moths lay their slightly attened

eggs on the underside of leaves of the host plant. The young
caterpillars emerge within a few days and feed on the host plant
leaves. When fully grown, they pupate in a loose silken cocoon
within a rolled-up leaf. The second generation of adult moths
emerges three to four weeks later. The caterpillars of the second
generation are active until September and then pupate. These
pupae overwinter, and the adults emerge in spring. There are

usually two generations a year, with adults ying in April to May
and again in July and August.

This species is rare in the United Kingdom and at risk across some
its range due to the loss of suitable habitats and because it has a
narrow range of host plants. In the past, poplars were common in
the landscape of Europe but are now planted less frequently.
The moth is similar to the more widespread Chocolate-tip
(Clostera curtula) but distinguished by a white line on its
chocolate-colored wingtips.

The Scarce Chocolate-tip caterpillar has
a black head and hairy dark body with four,
ne white lines running the length of the
body. There is a row of lateral black spots with
orange spots below. There are tufts of white
Actual size and creamy-brown hairs and a raised red spot
anked by two white spots on the abdomen.