Magpie Moth vs White Plume Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Magpie Moth | White Plume Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Abraxas grossulariata | Pterophorus pentadactyla |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geometridae | Pterophoridae |
| Size | 38-48 mm wingspan | 25-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, temperate Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Magpie Moth
A conspicuous white moth with bold black spots and an orange-yellow band across the wings. It played a historic role in the discovery of sex-linked inheritance.
Did You Know?
Leonard Doncaster's experiments on this moth in 1906 provided early evidence for sex-linked genetics.
White Plume Moth
A delicate pure white moth with deeply divided wings that split into feather-like plumes. Often seen resting on walls at night with wings held out like a letter T. Caterpillars feed on hedge bindweed.
Did You Know?
Its wings are divided into five feather-like plumes on each side, giving it one of the most unusual wing forms of any moth.