Plume-moth
Guides
Adaina
Adaina is a genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) established in 1905, comprising approximately 42 described species. The genus is characterized by split or divided wings typical of the family, with species distributed across the Americas. Several species have documented larval associations with Asteraceae host plants, with some exhibiting gall-inducing behavior and others feeding on inflorescences.
Adaina ambrosiae
ragweed plume moth, ambrosia plume moth
Adaina ambrosiae is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, recognized by its distinctive split-wing appearance. The species has a broad distribution across North America and extends into the Caribbean and Central America. Adults are active year-round in southern portions of the range. Larvae feed on multiple host plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly Ambrosia species, from which the specific epithet derives.
Adaina bipunctatus
Three- and Two-dotted Plume Moth
A small plume moth (Pterophoridae) with wingspan of 9–11.5 mm. Adults are pale yellowish-white with brown spotting on the forewings. The species occurs from the southeastern United States through the Caribbean to South America. Larvae feed on multiple asteraceous host plants.
Adaina ipomoeae
Pork Vine Plume Moth
Adaina ipomoeae is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, distributed across the Caribbean and Florida. Adults have a wingspan of 11–13 mm with pale ochreous forewings marked with dark brown patterns. The species is known to be active in January, August, and October. Larvae feed on morning glory relatives Ipomoea tiliacea and Merremia umbellata.
Adaina montanus
Mountain Plume Moth
Adaina montanus is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to North America. It has a wingspan of approximately 16 mm and is characterized by snow-white coloration with ferruginous-brown scaling on the forewings. The species is associated with specific host plants including cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium canadense) and New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii). Adults are active during summer months, with larvae feeding on leaf tissue of their host plants.
Adaina perplexus
Perplexing Plume Moth
Adaina perplexus is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, characterized by its distinctive wing structure with divided fringes. The species occurs in the southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Trinidad. Adults are active across multiple months, with records from January through October. The specific epithet and common name reflect historical taxonomic uncertainty, as some authors have treated it as synonymous with Adaina ambrosiae.
Adaina simplicius
Three-dotted Plume Moth
A small plume moth (family Pterophoridae) with a wingspan of approximately 10 mm. Native to the Americas, ranging from the United States through Central and South America to the Caribbean. Introduced to South Africa for evaluation as a biological control agent against Eupatorium macrocephalum.
Adaina thomae
St. Thomas Island Plume
Adaina thomae is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, characterized by its small size with a wingspan of approximately 13 mm. The species has a broad neotropical distribution spanning from the southern United States through the Caribbean and into South America. Adults have been recorded in multiple months throughout the year, suggesting extended or year-round flight activity in suitable climates. The specific epithet and common name reference Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, one of the localities where this species occurs.
Agdistis americana
Sea-heath Plume Moth
Agdistis americana is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, first described by Barnes and Lindsey in 1921. It is known from western North America, particularly California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 24 mm. As a member of the genus Agdistis, it belongs to a group of moths commonly associated with coastal and salt marsh habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Amblyptilia pica
Geranium Plume Moth
Amblyptilia pica is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the geranium plume moth. First described by Walsingham in 1880, this species exhibits a broad transcontinental distribution across North America. Adults are characterized by dark grey forewings mottled with black and a wingspan of 18–23 mm. The species is notable for its larval leaf-mining behavior on diverse host plants and for overwintering as an adult.
Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla
Sage Plume Moth
Anstenoptilia marmarodactyla, commonly known as the Sage Plume Moth, is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. Native to western North America from California and Arizona through Mexico to Costa Rica, it has been introduced to Hawaii. The species was originally described by Harrison Gray Dyar Jr. in 1902 and later moved to the genus Anstenoptilia by Zimmerman in 1958, though a misspelling of the epithet as 'marmorodactyla' has persisted in some literature.
Buckleria
Buckleria is a genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) whose larvae are specialized herbivores of carnivorous sundew plants (Drosera). Caterpillars possess a unique behavioral adaptation of licking mucilage from the plant's sticky glandular hairs, enabling them to move safely on trap leaves that typically capture and digest insects. This represents a rare example of a specialist consumer exploiting plants generally considered insectivorous.
Buckleria parvulus
Sundew Plume Moth
Buckleria parvulus, commonly known as the sundew plume moth, is a minute plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. First described in 1921 (though some sources cite 1965 for a later reclassification or redescription), it is among the smallest members of its family. The species is notable for its highly specialized larval diet: it feeds exclusively on sundews (Drosera species), making it one of the few insects adapted to consume these carnivorous plants. Its distribution is restricted to the southeastern United States.
Capperia
Capperia is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by Tutt in 1905. Species are small with wingspans ranging from approximately 12.5 to 20.5 mm. The genus is distributed across Europe, extending into parts of Asia including Kazakhstan and Turkey. Members exhibit bivoltine flight periods with adults active in late spring and mid-summer.
Capperia evansi
Evans' Plume Moth
Capperia evansi is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to Canada. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 14 mm and exhibit bivoltine flight periods in early June and again from mid-July to early August. The larvae are specialized feeders on Scutellaria species (skullcaps), where they damage the main stem causing it to droop and conceal themselves among withered leaves.
Capperia ningoris
Hedgenettle Plume Moth
Capperia ningoris is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to western North America. Adults have a wingspan of 18–20 mm and exhibit dark-brown coloration with a grayish tint. The larvae are specialized herbivores that feed on Hieracium albiflorum, webbing flower heads and deforming leaves.
Capperia raptor
Pineywoods Geranium Plume Moth
Capperia raptor is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, first described by Edward Meyrick in 1908. It is a small moth with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm, characterized by divided wings typical of the family. The species occurs in North America, with records from Canada and the United States including Colorado and Indiana.
Cnaemidophorus
rose plume moth
Cnaemidophorus is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by Wallengren in 1862. The genus contains four described species, including the well-known rose plume moth (C. rhododactyla). These moths are characterized by their deeply divided wings, a defining feature of plume moths. The genus has been documented across Europe and parts of Asia.
Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla
Rose Plume Moth
Cnaemidophorus rhododactyla, the rose plume moth, is a distinctive plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. The species is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and is closely associated with Rosa species as its larval host. Adults are active in mid-summer and are readily attracted to light. The species has been recorded as a pest of roses in Turkey, where larval feeding inside flower buds can destroy a substantial portion of bud mass.
Dejongia
Dejongia is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by Gielis in 1993. The genus name honors Dr. R. de Jong of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (formerly National Museum of Natural History, Leiden) for his contributions to resolving phylogenetic problems. Three species are recognized: Dejongia californicus, D. lobidactylus, and D. wrightii. These moths are characterized by the deeply divided wings typical of plume moths, with fringed margins on the wing lobes.
Dejongia californicus
Gumweed Plume Moth
Dejongia californicus is a small plume moth (family Pterophoridae) known as the Gumweed Plume Moth. It occurs in western and southeastern North America. The wingspan ranges from 14–26 mm. Larvae feed on Asteraceae species, particularly Isocoma veneta and Grindelia species. The moth was described by Walsingham in 1880.
Dejongia lobidactylus
Lobed Plume Moth
Dejongia lobidactylus, commonly known as the Lobed Plume Moth, is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is characterized by its deeply divided wings with distinctive pale yellow or white oblique stripes against a dark cinnamon-brown background. The species occurs in northeastern North America and has been recorded feeding on Solidago (goldenrod) species as larvae.
Emmelina buscki
Tropical Morning Glory Plume Moth
Emmelina buscki is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, first described by Barnes and Lindsey in 1921. It is known from North America (Florida, Mexico), Central America, and northern South America. The species has a wingspan of 20–23 mm and exhibits distinct tawny or brownish white coloration with characteristic wing markings. Larvae are specialized feeders on Ipomoea indica, skeletonizing young leaves of this host plant.
Exelastis dowi
Dow's Plume Moth
Exelastis dowi is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, recognized by its narrow, divided wings characteristic of the family. The species has been documented from Florida, The Bahamas, and Belize, with adult activity recorded in early spring. Its small size and limited geographic range distinguish it from related Exelastis species.
Exelastis pumilio
Dwarf Plume Moth
A small plume moth with a wingspan of 12–15 mm, found throughout tropical regions worldwide. Adults are recorded on wing in March, April, and June. The genus Hepalastis is treated as a synonym of Exelastis.
Geina
Geina is a genus of plume moths (family Pterophoridae) established by Tutt in 1906. The genus comprises six described species distributed primarily in North America and parts of Europe. At least two North American species—Geina sheppardi and Geina periscelidactyla—are specialized feeders on grape (Vitis). Species within this genus are small moths with divided wings characteristic of the family.
Geina periscelidactylus
grape plume moth, Grape and Sheppard's Plume Moths
Geina periscelidactylus, commonly known as the grape plume moth, is a small moth in the family Pterophoridae found in eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 16 mm and are active during summer months. The larvae are specialist feeders on grape (Vitis) and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus), constructing webs among young foliage.
Geina sheppardi
Sheppard's Plume Moth
Geina sheppardi is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Landry in 1989. It is known from western North America with scattered records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the genus Geina, it belongs to a group of plume moths associated with wild grape and related plants.
Geina tenuidactylus
Himmelman's plume moth, berry plume moth
Geina tenuidactylus, commonly known as Himmelman's plume moth or berry plume moth, is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It was first described by Asa Fitch in 1854. The species is widely distributed across North America, from eastern states to the West Coast. Larvae feed on Rubus species including thimbleberry and blackberries, while adults have been observed feeding on dogbane flowers. The wingspan measures approximately 17 mm.
Gillmeria
Gillmeria is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by English entomologist James William Tutt in 1905. Plume moths in this genus possess the characteristic split or divided wings that define their family. The genus contains multiple species distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. These moths are generally small with slender bodies and distinctive wing morphology.
Gillmeria albertae
Alberta Pale Plume Moth
Gillmeria albertae is a plume moth (family Pterophoridae) endemic to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Adults are small white moths with distinctive brownish-grey markings on the forewings and light brownish-grey hindwings. The species was first described in 1921 and is among the more geographically restricted members of its genus.
Gillmeria pallidactyla
Yarrow Plume Moth
Gillmeria pallidactyla, commonly known as the Yarrow Plume Moth, is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It has a Holarctic distribution across North America and Eurasia. Adults are active from June to August, hiding in low vegetation during daylight hours and becoming active at dusk. The larvae are stem borers that overwinter in roots and feed on Achillea species in spring.
Hellinsia
Hellinsia is a genus of plume moths in the family Pterophoridae, established by J.W. Tutt in 1905 and named in honor of entomologist John Hellins. The genus comprises numerous species distributed across the Holarctic region, with documented occurrences in North America, Europe, and Asia. Species identification relies heavily on genitalia morphology and wing pattern characteristics. Notable biological findings include the first documented case of ovoviviparity in an Arctic population of H. albilobata.
Hellinsia angustus
Hellinsia angustus is a species of plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive wing structure, with wings split into feathery plumes. The species has been documented in at least six observations according to iNaturalist records. As with many plume moths, detailed biological information for this specific species remains limited in published literature.
Hellinsia arion
Long-harped Plume Moth
Hellinsia arion is a plume moth (family Pterophoridae) first described by William Barnes and Arthur Ward Lindsey in 1921. The species occurs in western North America, with records from Alberta, Canada, and Arizona, USA. Adults have a wingspan of approximately 22.5 mm and display characteristic brownish-grey and white scaled coloration with distinctive wing markings.
Hellinsia auster
Austere Plume Moth
Hellinsia auster is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, restricted to Arizona in the southwestern United States. First described in 1921, this small moth exhibits the characteristic wing structure of its family, with wings split into feathery plumes. Adults are active during spring and late summer to early autumn. The species is known from limited collections, with the type locality in Mohave County.
Hellinsia balanotes
Baccharis Borer
Hellinsia balanotes is a plume moth (Pterophoridae) commonly known as the baccharis borer. It is native to the Americas from the United States through Central America, and has been introduced to Australia as a biological control agent for the invasive shrub Baccharis halimifolia. The species was first described by Edward Meyrick in 1908.
Hellinsia brucei
Bruce's Plume Moth
Hellinsia brucei, commonly known as Bruce's Plume Moth, is a species of plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. First described by Fernald in 1898, it is found in western North America including Arizona, Colorado, and parts of Canada. The species was formerly classified under the genus Oidaematophorus. As a plume moth, it exhibits the characteristic split or feathery wing structure typical of this family.
Hellinsia elliottii
Elliot's Plume Moth
Hellinsia elliottii is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of 21–26 mm and exhibit distinctive white forewings with ocher yellow markings and brown scaling. The species occurs across a broad latitudinal range from Quebec and Alberta south to Mississippi and New York. Larvae are light green with long white hairs and a broken creamy dorsal line.
Hellinsia glenni
Glenn's Plume Moth
Hellinsia glenni is a small plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Everett D. Cashatt in 1972. It occurs in scattered populations across North America, with records from Florida, Mississippi, and California. The species has a wingspan of approximately 26 mm. Its larvae are specialized stem borers of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).
Hellinsia grandis
Coyote Brush Borer Plume Moth
Hellinsia grandis, commonly known as the coyote brush borer plume moth, is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is distributed across western North America from California through Mexico to Guatemala. The species is notable for its specialized larval association with Baccharis pilularis (coyote brush), where larvae bore into stems. Adults are active in August and have a wingspan of approximately 34 mm.
Hellinsia hoguei
Hogue's Plume Moth
Hellinsia hoguei is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Gielis in 1996. It is endemic to Mexico. As with other members of its genus, it likely has the characteristic split or fringed wings typical of plume moths, though detailed morphological descriptions remain limited in published literature.
Hellinsia homodactylus
Plain Plume Moth, Elliott's Plume Moth, Habeck's Plume Moth
Hellinsia homodactylus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, first described by Walker in 1864. It is characterized by predominantly white coloration with subtle brownish markings on the forewings. The species has a broad North American distribution spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, with additional records from Mexico. Notably, its larvae have been documented as parasitoids of other insects, an unusual feeding strategy within the family.
Hellinsia inquinatus
Black-marked Plume Moth
Hellinsia inquinatus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, described by Zeller in 1873. It is distributed across much of North America and the Caribbean, with a wingspan of 16–18 mm. The species has been recorded feeding on three species of Ambrosia and Parthenium as larvae.
Hellinsia kellicottii
Goldenrod Plume Moth, Goldenrod Borer
Hellinsia kellicottii, commonly known as the Goldenrod Plume Moth or Goldenrod Borer, is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae. The species was described by Fish in 1881 and is native to eastern North America. Adults have a wingspan of 14–29 mm and are active from February to October depending on latitude. The larvae are specialized feeders on Solidago (goldenrod) species.
Hellinsia longifrons
Snout Plume Moth
Hellinsia longifrons is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the Snout Plume Moth. It occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults have a wingspan of 25–28 mm and display distinctive gray-brown coloration with white markings on the thorax and abdomen. The species is associated with the host plant Acourtia microcephala.
Hellinsia paleaceus
Ironweed Plume Moth
Hellinsia paleaceus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the Ironweed Plume Moth. It is widely distributed across North America from Canada to the southern United States, with an isolated population in Puerto Rico. The species is tightly associated with Vernonia species (ironweeds) as larval host plants. Adults are active from spring through late summer, with a wingspan of 19–26 mm.
Hellinsia pectodactylus
Eurasian Straw-colored Plume Moth
Hellinsia pectodactylus is a plume moth species with a remarkably wide distribution spanning Eurasia and North America. The species has a wingspan of 19–20 mm. Larvae feed on specific host plants in the Asteraceae family, including goldenrods and related species.
Lantanophaga
A genus of plume moths (Pterophoridae) established by Zimmerman in 1958. Contains four described species, with L. pusillidactylus being the most widely documented due to its role as a biological control agent of the invasive weed Lantana camara. The genus is notable for its specialized association with this host plant across multiple continents.
Lantanophaga pusillidactylus
Lantana Plume Moth
Lantanophaga pusillidactylus is a plume moth in the family Pterophoridae, commonly known as the Lantana Plume Moth. Native to the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America, it has been introduced to multiple regions including Australia, Hawaii, and Pacific islands as a biological control agent for the invasive weed Lantana camara. The species is highly specialized on Lantana, with larvae feeding inside flowers and berries, causing significant damage to fruit production.