Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
BugGuide currently follows the moth classification and nomenclature used at
All-Leps.
Numbers
All-Leps lists 147 species in 26 genera in North America.
Nearctica.com lists 150 species in 25 genera in North America.
Plumemoth.com (Debbie Matthews) cites "154 described species" in North America.
All North American species belong to subfamily Pterophorinae except Agdistis americana which is placed in subfamily Agdistinae at All-Leps.
Identification
Adult: wings very slender, held at right-angles to body when at rest, giving a T-shaped profile as viewed from above; forewing outer margin deeply notched; hindwing has three deep lobes, often fringed, held concealed beneath forewing when at rest; legs long, slender, sometimes with projecting spines at joints
Larva: usually hairy or bristly, variously colored
Range
most of North America, and many other regions of the world
Habitat
adults are commonly found on flowers of herbaceous plants during the day, but are also nocturnal and come to light
Season
adults fly from spring through fall; may be active all year in the far south
Food
Larvae are leafrollers or stem borers of various herbaceous plants. Eisner
(1) describes the remarkable caterpillar of one species,
Trichoptilus parvulus, that feeds on the leaves of
Pink Sundew (
Drosera capillaris), a carnivorous plant.
Adults feed on nectar/pollen of various herbaceous plants.
Life Cycle
Some species overwinter as adults, so may be found in early spring. Many species form a naked pupa attached by a cremaster to a surface, much like that of some butterflies. A few species form partial cocoons. One to several generations per year.
Remarks
A distinctive family of moths, but difficult to identify to genus or species.
See Also
Many-plumed moths (
family Alucitidae) spread their wings in a fan shape when at rest, and therefore do not have a T-shaped profile as viewed from above.
Print References
Covell, p. 391, plate 58 #19, #21
(2)
Internet References
live adult images of numerous species and genera by various photographers (Moth Photographers Group)
list of North American species with numerous accompanying images and links to other images (Debbie Matthews, Pterophoridae of North America, plumemoth.com)
adult image of
Platyptilia carduidactyla by Stephanie Boucher, plus brief overview of family (Canadian Biodiversity, McGill U., Quebec)
links to pinned adult images of several species (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
presence in Minnesota (Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota)
