White Plume Moth Pterophorus pentadactyla
Plume moths often look like large mosquitoes or crane flies. To mimic other species, plume moths had to find a way to disguise their wings. To achieve this effect their wings are divided into small segments. These segments can be put one on top of the other. In this way the wing looks like a small one, but by unfolding it the plume moth flies just like any other moth. Most common in the Benelux and Britain is this White Plume Moth. Even in rest the wings are rolled up rather carelessly and usually one can easily see the segments, usually called 'fingers'. It is a rather big micro, for it may reach a wingspan of some 36 mm. The caterpillars feed and overwinter exclusively on bindweed. Of all plume moths the Wite Plume Moth is seen most often, for its size and because it is often attracted by light.
