Belfrage's Plume Moth
Common NameBelfrage's Plume Moth
Scientific NameStenoptilodes belfragei
FamilyPterophoridae
SubfamilyPterophorinae
Wingspan (mm)17.5
Primary Colorsgray, brown, tan
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, gardens, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeNorth America (primarily eastern and central United States, parts of Canada)
Host PlantsAsteraceae (e.g., ragweed)
Flight PeriodMay to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are small caterpillars that typically feed on herbaceous host plants, often within the Asteraceae family.
Identification TipsKey features include the deeply cleft wings, slender body, mottled gray-brown coloration with distinct dark spots on the forewings, and its characteristic T-shaped resting posture.
Description
A small, slender plume moth characterized by its deeply cleft, grayish-brown wings that are mottled with darker spots and patches, often held outstretched at rest.
