Moths > Moths Index | Index II
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 Agape chloropyga Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawk Moth) Agrotis munda Anthela guenei (Four-Spot Anthelid Moth) Ardices curvata (Crimson Tiger Moth) Austrocaligula engaea (Mistletoe Emperor Moth) Calicotis crucifera Case Moths (Variety of Cocoons) Cebysa leucotelus (Australian Bagmoth) Coenotes eremophilae Comocrus behri (Mistletoe Moth) Cosmodes elegans (Green-blotched Moth) Diatenes gerula Donuca spectabilis (White-spotted Owl-Moth) Endoxyla cinereus (Carpenter Moth) Eudesmeola lawsoni Four-spotted Cup Moth (Doratifera quadriguttata) Hippotion celerio (Vine Hawk Moth) Hyles livornicoides (Australian Striped Hawk Moth) Ischnurges illustralis Leaf Case Moth Metura elongatus (Saunders’ Case Moth) Ochrogaster lunifer (Bag-shelter Moth) Opodiphthera eucalypti (Emperor Gum Moth) Pararguda rufescens Plume Moth Pollanisus viridipulverulenta (Satin-green Forester) Ribbed Case Moth Sameodes cancellalis Spodoptera litura Trigonodes hyppasia Utetheisa (Rattlepod Moth)
