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Morning-glory Plume Moth

Emmelina monodactyla

The Morning-glory Plume Moth is a tiny, delicate moth with long, feather-like wings. It loves to flutter around morning-glory flowers, making it a beautiful sight in gardens.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Morning-glory Plume Moth has a slender, pale brown or grayish body and distinctive wings. Each of its forewings and hindwings are deeply split into feathery plumes, giving them a delicate, fragmented appearance unlike typical solid moth wings. It often rests in a unique 'T-shape' posture.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPterophoridaeGenusEmmelina
Morning-glory Plume Moth
feathered trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Morning-glory Plume Moth

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Caterpillars munch on plants that are related to sweet potatoes!

Even in winter, you might spot an adult Morning-glory Plume Moth!

Its wings are split into six separate feathery plumes!

This moth rests with its wings wide open, looking like a tiny airplane!

Special abilities

Ability

Feathered Flight

Morning-glory Plume Moth has deeply split, feather-like wings that help them glide and maneuver through dense vegetation with agility.

Ability

Stealthy Stance

Morning-glory Plume Moth can rest with its wings extended in a 'T' shape, making it look like a twig or dried leaf to avoid predators.

Ability

Plant Protector

Morning-glory Plume Moth caterpillars can eat common weed plants like bindweed, helping to control these fast-growing vines in gardens.

Ability

Winter Wanderer

Morning-glory Plume Moths can overwinter as adults, allowing them to appear earlier in spring than many other insect species.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
22-26 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
14-60 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on morning-glory and bindweed leaves, while adults rarely eat.

Age differences: Caterpillars actively feed on host plants; adults primarily reproduce and consume little to no food.

Primary Foods

  • Convolvulus arvensis
  • Ipomoea purpurea
  • Calystegia sepium

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch moths from a distance and don't touch them, as they are delicate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Morning-glory Plume Moth?

The easiest way to identify Morning-glory Plume Moth is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

What is Morning-glory Plume Moth's wingspan?

22-26 mm

How big is Morning-glory Plume Moth?

10-14 mm

How long does Morning-glory Plume Moth live?

14-60 days

What does Morning-glory Plume Moth eat?

Caterpillars munch on morning-glory and bindweed leaves, while adults rarely eat.

Where is Morning-glory Plume Moth usually found?

Urban areas

How does Morning-glory Plume Moth hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Morning-glory Plume Moth have?

6

Snap Map

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