Moths of
Britain and Europe
Many-plumed moth
Alucita hexadactyla
LINNAEUS, 1758
Family -
ALUCITIDAE
subfamily -
Tribe -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
|
 |
|
Many-plumed moth
Alucita hexadactyla, Hampshire, England |
Introduction
Most moths ( and all
butterflies )
have 2 pairs of overlapping wings, each comprised of a thin
double membrane with rigidity supplied by a network of tubular
veins that radiate from the base of the wings.
The
Plume moths ( Pterophorinae ) and Many-plumed moths (
Alucitidae ) however have no wing membranes.
Instead their fore and hind wings each consist of feathery
plumes - rigid spines from which branch dozens of long thin
plume-like scales.
There are 186 known species of Alucitidae worldwide, many of
which have only been discovered in the last 20 years. The name
of the moth illustrated above, hexadactyla
translates as "20 fingers" and is a misnomer as Alucitidae
actually have 24 "feathers", although some are hidden from view.
Habitats
This species breeds primarily in deciduous woodlands but also occurs in gardens,
along hedgerows and railway embankments, and many other disturbed habitats where
its larval foodplants flourish.
Lifecycle
The caterpillars feed on
Lonicera ( honeysuckle ).
Adult behaviour
The moths are readily attracted to artificial light and often
enter houses.
|
