White Plume Moth vs Chinese Character Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Plume Moth Chinese Character Moth
Scientific Name Pterophorus pentadactyla Cilix glaucata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pterophoridae Drepanidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 20-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Orchards
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

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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.

Chinese Character Moth

A tiny moth whose resting posture perfectly mimics a bird dropping on a leaf. Its white wings bear a central brown blotch that completes the illusion.

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Did You Know?

Its bird-dropping disguise is so effective that even experienced entomologists can walk past it without noticing.