Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213
Hellinsia lacteodactylus
This record describes Hellinsia lacteodactylus (species). Recorded family: Pterophoridae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Original description is online as Oidaematophorus lacteodactylus Chambers. 426 - Brown head with white antennae and space between. |
| Thorax | Thorax and abdomen whitish. |
| Legs | Legs white with first two pairs brownish on one side. |
| Wings | Wings slightly darker along costa. - Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). |
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Pterophoroidea
- Family
- Pterophoridae (Plume Moths)
- Subfamily
- Pterophorinae
- Tribe
- Oidaematophorini
- Genus
- Hellinsia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
British Columbia to Nova Scotia and east of the Rocky Mountains. Also some California records. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates.
Seasonal Activity
Most records from May through August; adults seen nearly year round in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Known larval hosts include: common boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum L. goldenrod, Solidago L.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Hellinsia lacteodactylus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , treichard
Frequently Asked Questions About Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213
What is Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213?
Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 (Hellinsia lacteodactylus) is a species in the family Pterophoridae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213?
Wingspan 25-28 mm. 426
How do you identify Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Additional details | Original description is online as Oidaematophorus lacteodactylus Chambers. 426 - Brown head with white antennae and space between. |
| Thorax | Thorax and abdomen whitish. |
| Legs | Legs white with first two pairs brownish on one side. |
| Wings | Wings slightly darker along costa. - Specimen identified by DNA analysis (BOLD). |
Where is Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 found?
Range: British Columbia to Nova Scotia and east of the Rocky Mountains. Also some California records. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection locations and dates.
What does Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 eat?
The diet of the Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 includes Known larval hosts include: common boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum L. goldenrod, Solidago L..
When is Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213 active?
Milky Plume Moth - Hodges#6213: seasonal activity - Most records from May through August; adults seen nearly year round in Florida..