Brussels Lace
Cleorodes lichenaria
Cleorodes is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae described by Warren in 1894. Its single species, Cleorodes lichenaria, the Brussels lace, was first described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1767.
35
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleorodes
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Geometridae
Genus
Cleorodes
Brussels Lace belongs to the family Geometridae, order Lepidoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
Cleorodes is a monotypic moth genus in the family Geometridae described by Warren in 1894. Its single species, Cleorodes lichenaria, the Brussels lace, was first described by Johann Siegfried Hufnagel in 1767.
Brussels Lace faces significant threats from habitat loss due to urbanization and agricultural expansion, which has reduced the availability of its preferred lichen-rich woodland environments. Climate change is altering the delicate balance of moisture and temperature conditions required for both the species and its lichen food sources, while air pollution continues to degrade lichen communities that this moth depends upon for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Mature deciduous and mixed woodlands, particularly oak and birch forests, where diverse lichen communities grow on tree bark and branches. The species requires well-established woodland ecosystems with minimal air pollution to support the crustose and foliose lichens that serve as larval food sources.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and woodland clearance
Habitat loss from urbanization and development
Air pollution affecting lichen communities
Climate change altering habitat conditions
Loss of old-growth trees supporting lichen diversity
Found in 35 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Brussels Lace (Cleorodes lichenaria). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/brussels-lace