Montana Six-plume Moth
Common NameMontana Six-plume Moth
Scientific NamePterophorus montanus
FamilyPterophoridae
SubfamilyPterophorinae
Wingspan (mm)22
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, bronze, white
HabitatOpen areas, grasslands, montane regions
Geographic RangeWestern North America (e.g., Montana, Colorado, California)
Host PlantsArtemisia spp.
Flight PeriodJune to October
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis: eggs hatch into larvae that feed on host plants, then pupate before emerging as adult moths.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the unique deeply cleft, feathery wings typical of plume moths, with forewings divided into two lobes and hindwings into three. The mottled brown and grey coloration with coppery highlights on the forewings also aids identification.
Description
This small moth features distinctive plume-like wings, deeply cleft into multiple feathery lobes. Its coloration is a mottled mix of browns, greys, and coppery-bronze highlights, with lighter, feathery hindwings.
