The Morning-Glory Plume Moth has a wingspan of 3/4 to 1 1/8 inches. The forewing is deeply notched. It is pale brown with scattered small black dots. The darkest spot is at the point of the split. The hindwing is pale brown and is divided into 3 fringed lobes that look like plumes. The abdomen is light brown with a row of tiny, black dots on the dorsal surface. This plume moth sits with the wings tightly rolled and extended straight out to the sides. The larva is pale green with a broad darker green dorsal band. The body is covered with fine, pale short hairs.
This moth is common at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. It is attracted to artificial lights and can be seen sitting on the outside walls of buildings. It has been photographed at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in late May. It flies from April to September.
The host plants are morning-glory, lamb’s quarters, smartweed and joe-pye weed. There are 147 species of plume moths in 26 genera in North America.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Babs Padelford.