Twenty-plume Moth
Alucita hexadactyla
This record describes Alucita hexadactyla (species). Recorded family: Alucitidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 14-16 mm. The English name of this unusual little moth is something of a misnomer, as each wing is separated into 6 'plumes'. The scientific name is more accurate, meaning 'six-fingered'. It is the only British member of its family. It can be found in the adult stage at almost any time of year, it is nocturnal and attracted to light. The larva feeds on the leaves and buds of Honeysuckle. It is fairly common throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Alucita hexadactyla: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alucita hexadactyla.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Alucitoidea
- Family
- Alucitidae (Many-plumed Moths)
- Genus
- Alucita
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Gardens and open woodland.
Seasonal Activity
It can be found in the adult stage at almost any time of year, it is nocturnal and attracted to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larva feeds on the leaves and buds of Honeysuckle.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is fairly common throughout Britain. In the Butterfly Conservation’s Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Alucita hexadactyla. 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 Twenty-plume Moth (7)
Frequently Asked Questions About Twenty-plume Moth
What is Twenty-plume Moth?
Twenty-plume Moth (Alucita hexadactyla) is a species in the family Alucitidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Twenty-plume Moth found?
Habitat: Gardens and open woodland.
When is Twenty-plume Moth active?
Twenty-plume Moth: seasonal activity - It can be found in the adult stage at almost any time of year, it is nocturnal and attracted to light..
What is the life cycle of a Twenty-plume Moth?
The larva feeds on the leaves and buds of Honeysuckle.