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Clover Looper

Caenurgina crassiuscula

The Clover Looper (Caenurgina crassiuscula) is a moth commonly found in waste places and agricultural fields throughout North America. It is named for its distinctive looping motion, as well as its preferred habitat in clover fields. The moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch and is characterized by two dark arcs on each wing that resemble the letter ‘C’ when viewed from above. Its wings are typically brown or gray, with a mottled appearance that helps it blend in with its surroundings.

A fun fact about the Clover Looper is that it belongs to a family of moths known for their distinctive caterpillar behavior. Like other loopers, the Clover Looper caterpillar has only two to three pairs of prolegs, which results in its unique crawling motion. When threatened, the caterpillar will drop from its perch and dangle from a silk thread, using its looping motion to descend slowly to the ground.

Habitat
fields, roadsides, waste places
Scientific Name
Caenurgina crassiuscula
Wing Span
30mm to 40mm
General Size
Small
Wing Color
brown
brown
Marking's Color
black
black
brown
brown
Markings Pattern
Stripes / Straight Lines

Characteristics describe the physical and behavioral traits that distinguish a species from others. This section helps readers identify and differentiate between similar species, aiding in species identification and reducing the chance of misidentification.

Identifying Characteristics

  1. 2 dark arcs on each wing that look like a ‘C’ from above.
    The band closest to the body extends to the inner margin of the forewing

The chart displays the months of the year on the x-axis and observations of a particular species on the y-axis, indicating the time of year when each species is most commonly observed. This chart can assist moth watchers and researchers in predicting the best times and locations to observe specific moth species.

A range map is a visual representation of a species' geographical distribution, and it helps naturalists and field researchers quickly determine if a species is likely to be found in a given area, aiding in identification, conservation, and habitat management efforts.