White Plume Moth vs Flame Carpet Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute White Plume Moth Flame Carpet Moth
Scientific Name Pterophorus pentadactyla Xanthorhoe designata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pterophoridae Geometridae
Size 25-30 mm wingspan 24-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe
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.

Flame Carpet Moth

A small, attractive geometer moth with pinkish-brown and dark banding creating a flame-like pattern. Associated with cruciferous plants. Comes readily to moth traps.

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Did You Know?

The flame-like wing pattern gives this common moth its evocative English name.