The Plume Moth (family Pterophoridae) is comprised of over 90 genera and over 1,000 species. Most of the species have wings that are divided into narrow lobes that look like feathers or “plumes” because of the long fringe scales along the lobe margins.
The Plume Moths have narrow wings that are held at right angles to their body when at rest. Their antennae are short and held out in front of their head and they have thin long legs with spines.
The following Plume Moth (Sphenarches anisodactylus), is an unusual moth with divided wings. The moth was photographed after dark while resting on a daisy flower in the garden.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Pterophoroidea
- Family: Pterophoridae
- Subfamilies:
- Agdistinae
- Deuterocopinae
- Ochyroticinae
- Pterophorinae
Footnote & References
- Pterophoridae in Australia, Coffs Harbour Butterfly House, www.lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/pter/pterophoridae.html
MothsMoths Index Aedia arctipennis Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawk Moth) Anthela guenei (Four-Spot Anthelid Moth) Austrocaligula engaea (Mistletoe Emperor Moth) Case Moths (Variety of Cocoons) Coenotes eremophilae Comocrus behri (Mistletoe Moth) Cosmodes elegans (Green-blotched Moth) Donuca spectabilis (White-spotted Owl-Moth) Four-spotted Cup Moth (Doratifera quadriguttata) Endoxyla cinereus (Carpenter Moth) Hippotion celerio (Vine Hawk Moth) Hyles livornicoides (Australian Striped Hawk Moth) Leaf Case Moth Metura elongatus (Saunders’ Case Moth) Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth) Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) Plume Moth Ribbed Case Moth Sameodes cancellalis Utetheisa (Rattlepod Moth)