Plain Plume Moth
ExploreInsects
Plain Plume Moth
Hellinsia homodactylus
The Plain Plume Moth is a small, delicate moth with long, feather-like wings. It flutters around gardens and fields, making it a lovely sight to see during warm days.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Plain Plume Moth has a slender, pale brown or straw-coloured body and delicate wings that appear T-shaped when at rest. Its wings are deeply divided into feathery plumes, giving it a distinctive, airy look unlike most other moths.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPterophoridaeGenusHellinsia
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Its amazing larvae can eat plants from the inside, like little secret agents!
Plume moths are experts at pretending to be dry twigs or dead leaves to hide from hungry birds!
Some kinds of plume moths are found on every continent except Antarctica – talk about world travelers!
When resting, this moth holds its feathery wings out like a tiny airplane, forming a perfect 'T' shape!
Special abilities
Ability
Master of Disguise
The Plain Plume Moth has a pale, straw-colored body that helps it blend perfectly with dried grass and plant stems, making it very hard for predators to spot.
Ability
Feathered Flight
Its unique T-shaped wings, deeply divided into feathery plumes, allow for agile flight through dense vegetation, helping it escape danger quickly.
Ability
Night Navigator
The Plain Plume Moth can fly and find food in low light conditions because it is mostly active at dusk and night, avoiding daytime predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 18-27 mm
- Size
- 10-12 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days
- Flight Speed
- 8 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Larvae munch on plant stems and leaves, while adults may sip nectar for energy.
Age differences: Larvae bore into plant stems, while adults primarily feed on flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- thistle stems
- goldenrod leaves
- hawkweed flowers
- flower nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Spear Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Larvae bore into its stems.
eats
Canada Goldenrod
Solidago canadensis
Its larvae feed on the leaves.
eaten by
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
A nocturnal predator of moths.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
Birds often prey on moths.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
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
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Moths are gentle creatures, but it's best to watch them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Plain Plume Moth's wingspan?
18-27 mm
How big is Plain Plume Moth?
10-12 mm
How long does Plain Plume Moth live?
10-20 days
How fast can Plain Plume Moth fly?
8 km/h
What does Plain Plume Moth eat?
Larvae munch on plant stems and leaves, while adults may sip nectar for energy.
Where is Plain Plume Moth usually found?
Urban areas
How does Plain Plume Moth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Plain Plume Moth have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpg&width=800)
.jpg&width=800)
