Many-plumed moth

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iAlucitidae
"Tineida" from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur, 1904
"Tineida" from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur, 1904
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Ditrysia
Superfamily: Alucitoidea
Family: Alucitidae
Leach, 1815
Diversity
9 genera
130 species
Type Species
Alucita hexadactyla
Genera

Alinguata
Alucita
Hebdomactis
Hexeretmis
Microschismus
Paelia
Prymnotomis
Pterotopteryx
Triscaedecia

The Alucitidae or many-plumed moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings. Both fore- and hind-wings consist of about six rigid spines, from which radiate flexible bristles creating a structure similar to a bird's feather.

The family is small with about 130 species described. Both in Britain and North America only one of these is found - Alucita hexadactyla. This smallish moth can often be found fluttering in the evening twilight or resting with its 'wings' outstretched. Its larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera).




Arthropoda - Insecta - Families of Lepidoptera Monarch Butterfly