Crescent Plume - Marasmarcha lunaedactyla

Description

Wingspan 18 to 22 mm. This species is easily recognisable by the moon-shaped creamy-white marking at the cleft in the brownish forewing.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

It prefers dry habitats, such as downland, shingle beaches and sand-dunes.

When to see it

It flies from dusk onwards in late June and July.

Life History

The larvae feed on rest-harrow.

UK Status

It is locally distributed in the south of England and Wales in suitable habitat. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local.

VC55 Status

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland, where there are few records. L&R Moth Group status = D (rare or rarely recorded).

Reference
45.023 BF1495

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Crescent Plume
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Pterophoridae
Records on NatureSpot:
13
First record:
17/07/2013 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
24/06/2023 (Poole, Adam)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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