Bug FAQDwarf Plume Moth
Exelastis pumilio · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Pterophoridae
The dwarf plume moth (Exelastis pumilio) belongs to the plume moth family Pterophoridae. It has a wingspan of about 12 to 15 mm and is found in tropical regions worldwide, including parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Its larvae feed on plants such as Desmodium incanum, Alysicarpus vaginalis, Oxalis species, Boerhaavia repens, and Boerhaavia diffusa.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The adult’s wingspan ranges from 12 to 15 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
In India and Sri Lanka they feed on Boerhaavia repens, and in Hawaii they feed on Boerhaavia diffusa.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing in March, April and June.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period for adults includes March, April and June.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its distribution covers the same tropical regions listed for its habitat.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 8 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
When are adult dwarf plume moths active?
Adults can be seen flying in March, April and June.
Source: Wikipedia
What plants do the larvae eat?
The caterpillars feed on Desmodium incanum, Alysicarpus vaginalis, Oxalis species, Boerhaavia repens and Boerhaavia diffusa.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Pterophoridae)
Morning-glory Plume MothEmmelina monodactyla
White Plume MothPterophorus pentadactylaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown Silver-linePetrophora chlorosata
Grape and Sheppard's Plume MothsGeina periscelidactylusDamages trees, gardens or crops
Yarrow Plume MothGillmeria pallidactylaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Plain, Elliott's, and Habeck's Plume MothsHellinsia homodactylusSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exelastis_pumilio
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.