White Plume - Pterophorus pentadactyla

Alternative names
White Plume Moth
Description

Wingspan 26-34 mm. Probably the most distinctive of the 'Plume' moths and one of the largest. Its wings are deeply divided into several 'fingers', each of which is finely feathered, or plumed.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Inhabiting dry grassland, waste ground and gardens.

When to see it

The adults fly from dusk onwards in June and July and sometimes have a second generation in September.

Life History

The caterpillars overwinter and feed on Bindweed.

UK Status

Quite common over much of Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.

VC55 Status

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland. L&R Moth Group status = A (common and resident)

Reference
45.030 BF1513

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
White Plume Moth, White Plume
Species group:
Moths
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Pterophoridae
Records on NatureSpot:
94
First record:
30/07/1948 (Wesley, Isaac)
Last record:
17/07/2023 (Hunt, Graham)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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