# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Morning-glory Plume Moth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Emmelina_monodactyla_MHNT.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emmelina_monodactyla_MHNT.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Pterophoridae - **Genus:** Emmelina ## 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 - **Feathered Flight:** Morning-glory Plume Moth has deeply split, feather-like wings that help them glide and maneuver through dense vegetation with agility. - **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. - **Plant Protector:** Morning-glory Plume Moth caterpillars can eat common weed plants like bindweed, helping to control these fast-growing vines in gardens. - **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 - **Eats:** [Field Bindweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-bindweed) (*Convolvulus arvensis*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Eats:** [Common Morning-glory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-morning-glory) (*Ipomoea purpurea*) — Larvae consume its foliage. - **Eats:** [Hedge Bindweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hedge-bindweed) (*Calystegia sepium*) — A primary food source for larvae. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats are common nocturnal predators. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds may prey on resting adults. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## 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? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Brookfield Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Chadron Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chadron-commercial-historic-district) — Nebraska, US · Historic District - [Elkins Coal and Coke Company Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elkins-coal-and-coke-company-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Mount Carroll Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-carroll-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Jardín del Turia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jard-n-del-turia) — Spain, ES · Park [View all places to see Morning-glory Plume Moth](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/morning-glory-plume-moth) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Morning-glory Plume Moth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/morning-glory-plume-moth)