Alucita hexadactyla (twenty-plume moth) is a "micromoth" of the many-plumed moth family (Alucitidae). It is found in Eurasia. It was previously thought to also occur in North America, but a 2004 study showed that the North American species are distinct and separate.
Feeding signs of a larvaFigs. 10 larva after final moult, 10a pupa
The wingspan is 14–16 mm. Unlike a typical moth, which has two pairs of scaly wings, Alucita has about twenty thin feathery plumes (with scales on the supporting ribs). It perches with the wings outspread like a fan. The wings have a bold zigzag pattern in white, black and brown, which together with the shiny backward-pointing hairs on each plume make the adult moth distinctive. It is also popularly known as the many-plumed moth, while the specific name hexadactyla comes from the Greek for six-fingered.[2][3] Single brooded, it can be found at any time of the year.[4] It is common and often found in gardens, but is readily overlooked because of its small size.
The larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera species) tunnelling in the flower buds and leaves. Holes and darkening of the buds indicate larval feeding. There is disagreement as to whether the larvae are leaf miners or gall causers.[5][6]
Referencesedit
^"Alucita hexadactyla". Fauna Europaea. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
^Chinery, Michael (2005). Collins Complete Guide to British Insects. London: HarperCollins. p. 270. ISBN978-0-00-729899-0.
^"Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla)". Photography Obsession. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
^Stirling, Phil; Parsons, Mark; Lewington, Richard (2012). Field Guide to the Micro Moths of Great Britain and Ireland. Gillingham, Dorset: British Wildlife. p. 186. ISBN978-0-9564902-1-6.
^Ellis, W N. "Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus, 1758 many-plume moth". Plant Parasites of Europe. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
^Redfern, Margaret; Shirley, Peter; Bloxham, Michael (2011). British Plant Galls (Second ed.). Preston Montford: Field Study Council. p. 157. ISBN978-1-85153-284-1.
^Landry, B., & Landry, J. (2004). The genus Alucita in North America, with description of two new species (Lepidoptera: Alucitidae). The Canadian Entomologist, 136(4), 553-579. doi:10.4039/n03-095
April 14, 2024
alucita, hexadactyla, twenty, plume, moth, micromoth, many, plumed, moth, family, alucitidae, found, eurasia, previously, thought, also, occur, north, america, 2004, study, showed, that, north, american, species, distinct, separate, twenty, plume, mothscientif. Alucita hexadactyla twenty plume moth is a micromoth of the many plumed moth family Alucitidae It is found in Eurasia It was previously thought to also occur in North America but a 2004 study showed that the North American species are distinct and separate Twenty plume mothScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaClass InsectaOrder LepidopteraFamily AlucitidaeGenus AlucitaSpecies A hexadactylaBinomial nameAlucita hexadactylaLinnaeus 1758 1 SynonymsList Orneodes hexadactyla Linnaeus 1758 Phalaena hexadactyla Linnaeus 1758 Phalaena Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus 1758 Alucita poecilodactyla Stephens 1835 Alucita polydactyla Hubner 1813Description edit nbsp Feeding signs of a larva nbsp Figs 10 larva after final moult 10a pupaThe wingspan is 14 16 mm Unlike a typical moth which has two pairs of scaly wings Alucita has about twenty thin feathery plumes with scales on the supporting ribs It perches with the wings outspread like a fan The wings have a bold zigzag pattern in white black and brown which together with the shiny backward pointing hairs on each plume make the adult moth distinctive It is also popularly known as the many plumed moth while the specific name hexadactyla comes from the Greek for six fingered 2 3 Single brooded it can be found at any time of the year 4 It is common and often found in gardens but is readily overlooked because of its small size The larvae feed on honeysuckle Lonicera species tunnelling in the flower buds and leaves Holes and darkening of the buds indicate larval feeding There is disagreement as to whether the larvae are leaf miners or gall causers 5 6 References edit Alucita hexadactyla Fauna Europaea Retrieved 31 May 2020 Chinery Michael 2005 Collins Complete Guide to British Insects London HarperCollins p 270 ISBN 978 0 00 729899 0 Twenty plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla Photography Obsession Retrieved 31 May 2020 Stirling Phil Parsons Mark Lewington Richard 2012 Field Guide to the Micro Moths of Great Britain and Ireland Gillingham Dorset British Wildlife p 186 ISBN 978 0 9564902 1 6 Ellis W N Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus 1758 many plume moth Plant Parasites of Europe Retrieved 31 May 2020 Redfern Margaret Shirley Peter Bloxham Michael 2011 British Plant Galls Second ed Preston Montford Field Study Council p 157 ISBN 978 1 85153 284 1 1 External links editTwenty plume Moth at UKmoths Images representing Alucita hexadactyla at Consortium for the Barcode of Life This article relating to the superfamily Alucitoidea is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Landry B amp Landry J 2004 The genus Alucita in North America with description of two new species Lepidoptera Alucitidae The Canadian Entomologist 136 4 553 579 doi 10 4039 n03 095 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Alucita hexadactyla amp oldid 1132428574, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
