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Plume Moth
Photo © Kim Hosen; suburban backyard, Woodbridge, VA; October 2010

Plume Moth
Stenoptilodes spp.
Superfamily Pterophoroidea
Family Pterophoridae (Plume Moths)
Subfamily Pterophorinae

There are three species in North America: antirrhina, brevipennis and taprobranes.

Size: The wingspan of the moth in this photo was ~12 mm

Flight period: May to November; overwinter as adults

Habitat: Weak fliers that usually remain on or near the host plant; most active during early evening

Caterpillar host plants: May feed on snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.), Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), Spreading Sneezeweed (Centipeda minima), and spur flower (Plectranthus spp.)