Horehound Plume Moth
Common NameHorehound Plume Moth
Scientific NamePterophorus spilodactylus
FamilyPterophoridae
SubfamilyPterophorinae
Wingspan (mm)22.5
Primary Colorscream, white, pale brown
HabitatDry grasslands, open disturbed areas, coastal regions, areas with horehound
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, parts of Asia; introduced to Australia and New Zealand
Host PlantsHorehound (Marrubium vulgare)
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed internally on the stems and flowers of Horehound, later pupating on the plant.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive deeply divided, feathery wings and pale coloration, often with faint brown markings, found in association with its host plant, Horehound.
Description
A small, slender moth characterized by its deeply cleft, feathery, pale cream to whitish wings, often with subtle brown spots or streaks.
