The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings, giving them the shape of a narrow winged airplane. Though they belong to the Apoditrysia like the larger moths and the butterflies, unlike these they are tiny and were formerly included among the assemblage called "microlepidoptera".
Pterophorus pentadactyla, commonly known as the white plume moth, is a moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is found in the West Palearctic including North Africa and Europe. The wingspan is 26–34 mm (1.0–1.3 in). It is uniformly white, with the hind wing pair divided in three feathery plumes and the front pair in another two. The moths fly from June to August. The larvae feed on bindweed.
Amblyptilia acanthadactyla, also known as the beautiful plume, is a moth of the family Pterophoroidea found in across the Palearctic including Europe. The species was first described by the German entomologist, Jacob Hübner in 1813.
Stenoptilia bipunctidactyla, also known as the twin-spot plume is a moth of the Pterophoroidea family found in North Africa, Asia and Europe. It was first described by the Austrian physician and naturalist, Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in 1763. It is one of four similar looking moths.
Gillmeria pallidactyla is a moth of the family Pterophoridae first described by the English entomologist, Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1811. It has a Holarctic distribution and is widespread throughout North America and the Palearctic.
Sphenarches anisodactylus, commonly known as the geranium plume moth, is a species of moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is found in western Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, the New Hebrides and Central and South America, as well as Australia, where it has been recorded from Cape York to central New South Wales. It is found in the United States, where it has been recorded from Florida, as well as Mississippi. It is also present in the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand.
Lantanophaga pusillidactyla, the lantana plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is native to the southern United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. It was introduced to Australia accidentally in 1936 and is now found from Sydney to Cairns along the coast. It has also been introduced to Hawaii in 1902, Pohnpei in 1948, and Palau in 1960 for biological control. It has since been recorded from Yap in 1987–1988 and is now distributed on all islands of the Mariana and Caroline Islands where the host plant is found, except Aguijan.
Amblyptilia falcatalis, the common Hebe plume moth, is a species of moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Francis Walker and is endemic to New Zealand. This species can be found in both the North and South Islands. The larval host plants are in the Veronica genus and include Veronica stricta,Veronica salicifolia,Veronica elliptica, Veronica macrocarpa and Veronica speciosa. This moth likely has two broods a year and adults have been observed all year round.
Geina tenuidactyla, the berry plume moth or Himmelman's plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. The species was first described by Asa Fitch in 1854. It is found in North America, including Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Illinois, Ontario, Colorado, Nevada and California.
Amblyptilia punctidactyla, also known as the brindled plume, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found across the Palearctic. The species was first described by the English entomologist, Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1811.
Adaina microdactyla is a moth of the family Pterophoridae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1813. Also known as the hemp-agrimony plume, it is found in Africa, Asia and Europe.
Crombrugghia distans, also known as the Breckland plume is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in Africa, Asia and Europe. It was first described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1847.
Stenoptilia pneumonanthes, also known as the gentian plume, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae found in central Europe and Russia. It was first described by Friedrich Otto Büttner in 1880.
Buckleria parvulus, the sundew plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. The species was first described by William Barnes and Arthur Ward Lindsey in 1965 from Archbold Biological Station, Florida. It is found in the south-eastern United States, including Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.
Paraplatyptilia auriga is a moth of the family Pterophoridae described by William Barnes and Arthur Ward Lindsey in 1921. It is found in eastern North America, including Florida, Mississippi, and New Jersey.
Hellinsia glenni is a moth of the family Pterophoridae described by Everett D. Cashatt in 1972. It is found in North America, including Florida, Mississippi and California.
Hellinsia lacteodactylus is a moth of the family Pterophoridae described by Vactor Tousey Chambers in 1873. It is found in North America, including Florida, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, Colorado, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
Hellinsia inquinatus is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is found in North America, including Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Maryland, Alabama, Texas, Missouri, Colorado and Arizona. It has also been recorded from Hispaniola, Mexico, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas Island.
Amblyptilia deprivatalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. This species was first described by Frances Walker in 1864. It is endemic to New Zealand and is found in the North and South Islands. Adults are on the wing from October to May and have an affinity to species in the genus Senecio.
Amblyptilia repletalis is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is endemic to New Zealand and can be found throughout the country from North Cape to Bluff. The species inhabits a variety of habitats including native forest clearings, shrubland, coastal dunes and gardens. Larvae feed on the seed heads of Plantago plant species. Adults are on the wing all year round and are attracted to light.
