The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings, giving them the shape of a narrow winged airplane. Though they belong to the Apoditrysia like the larger moths and the butterflies, unlike these they are tiny and were formerly included among the assemblage called "microlepidoptera".

Plume moths are instantly recognizable by their T-shaped silhouette and muted shades of tan and brown. At rest, the moths hold their wings tightly rolled, but when they are spread, the deeply cleft slits in the wing margins that create the feathery plumes are visible.

Jul 5, 2024 · The plume moths north of Mexico fall into three subfamilies, distinguishable in photos of live specimens. Only one species is present in each of two of the subfamilies, and all the other species fall into the third.

The adult moth is often seen on fence posts, walls and even indoors where they are attracted to light. Can also be found at Ivy blossom, ripe blackberries and, in spring, at sallow blossom. Flight Season. Flies at dusk from September to May in a single generation but can be seen in any month of the year. Size and Family. Family – Pterophorinae

Learn about the Plume moths and their identification. Get details about their size, their life cycle, the caterpillar and their diet, the pupa and the adult moth.

Jan 29, 2025 · Plume Moths are members of the Micromoth Family and their diminutive size acknowledges that. Like other moths, Plume Moths are most active at night, but they can also be seen near pollen sources during the day.

Pterophorus pentadactyla, commonly known as the white plume moth, is a moth in the family Pterophoridae. [1] [2] It is found in the West Palearctic including North Africa and Europe. The wingspan is 26–34 mm (1.0–1.3 in). It is uniformly white, with the hind wing pair divided in three feathery plumes and the front pair in another two. [3]

Plume moth, (family Pterophoridae), any of about 1,000 species of delicate moths (order Lepidoptera) that are named for the deep wing divisions that resemble plumes or lobes. The clefts in the wings divide them for about half their length, with the forewings usually divided into two plumes and the.

One of the commonest of the 'Plume' moths all over Britain, and one of the few to be found in the early part of the year, as the adults occur in all months. Like most of the Pterophoridae, the wings are cleft or divided, but this can be difficult to see, as the moth often rests with the wings rolled up …

Plume moths are easily recognized by their characteristic T-shaped resting posture and the lobed or divided wings of most species. There are currently 162 described species known from North America north of the Mexican border.