PLUME MOTH
Pterophoridae sp.
PLUME MOTH FAMILY (Pterophoridae)
This Plume Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1 inch. It is brown overall and when at rest has a T-shaped appearance. The long wings are rolled up and held at right angles to the body. The outer margin of the forewing is deeply notched. The hindwing is divided into 3 fringed lobes that look like plumes. This moth was identified to family by volunteer experts at the BugGuide website. It is very difficult to identifiy these moths to genus or species.
Plume moths are probably common in Fontenelle forest and Neale Woods from summer to fall. The individual shown here was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in late October. Adults feed on nectar or pollen and are attracted to lights.
The larvae are usually leafrollers or borers of various herbaceous plants. There are 147 species of plume moths in 26 genera in North America.
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