White Plume Moths

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Scientific name:  Pterophorus pentadactyla

Size:  Wingspan up to 34mm

Distribution:  Found throughout the UK

Months seen:  May to September

Habitat:  Hedgerows, parks, gardens and waste ground

Food:  Nectar.  The green and yellow caterpillars feed on bindweed

Special features:  White Plume Moths get their name from the appearance of their wings, which when splayed out look like feathers or plumes.  There are five of these plumes on each side but at rest they are usually closed together.

White Plume Moths are sometimes seen flying in daylight if they get disturbed from their roosting site, but they are mainly a nocturnal species.  They frequently come to lighted windows at night.

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