White Plume Moth vs Indian Tse Tse-like Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Plume Moth Indian Tse Tse-like Fly
Scientific Name Pterophorus pentadactyla Hippobosca maculata
Order Lepidoptera Diptera
Family Pterophoridae Hippoboscidae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 7-9 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Blood Feeders
Regions Europe South Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh)
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.

Indian Tse Tse-like Fly

A flattened, leathery ectoparasitic fly that feeds on the blood of horses, cattle, and dogs. It has powerful claws for gripping hair and feathers and moves sideways through the host's coat with ease.

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Did You Know?

These flies are so tenacious that they can run sideways through animal fur and are extremely difficult to swat or remove.