Species of the Month: Twenty Plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla (February 2025)

The Twenty Plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla is one of our most unique looking moths. It measures around 15mm across in its fanned resting position, and despite its name it does in fact have 24 ‘plumes’. The caterpillars feed on the leaves and buds of honeysuckle Lonicera sp. which are commonly found in gardens, but due to their small size, both moth and its larvae are seldom spotted there. The vast majority of our records are inside buildings. This species overwinters as an adult and can thus be seen at nearly any time of the year. Adults will opportunistically overwinter indoors; places with a steady temperature such as sheds, garages and attics are likely to be preferred to heated rooms, but they may also be brought in accidentally (e.g., with firewood).

The species is relatively well recorded in comparison to many micro-moth species due it it appearing indoors. It is likely widespread in the SWSEIC region as its foodplants – honeysuckles – are quite common, but as the map shows there are many gaps left to fill. The map displays only records held by SWSEIC.

Malcolm Haddow

SWSEIC Support Officer