Mousy Plume Moth

Lioptilodes albistriolatus · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Pterophoridae

Also called: Moth, Pleated Plume Moth

No source yet on danger. We have no source yet on whether it bites, stings or damages anything.

Mousy Plume Moth — Photo: Zihao Wang, CC BY

The moth has a wingspan of about 15 to 20 mm. It is native to many parts of South and Central America and also occurs in the southern United States and Mexico. The caterpillars eat the flower heads of a wide range of Asteraceae plants.

Source: Wikipedia

Size

Wingspan ranges from 15 mm to 20 mm.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it lives

It has been introduced to Hawaii.

Source: Wikipedia

What it eats

Larvae feed inside the flower heads of many Asteraceae species such as Erigeron, Conyza, Baccharis, Senecio, Symphyotrichum and Solidago.

Source: Wikipedia

When you see it

The moth can be seen flying in most months except April, July, September and October.

Source: Wikipedia

Where it is found in the US

Recorded in 29 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Maryland, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina.

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Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.

Source: GBIF

Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist

Months it is reported in the US

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Source: GBIF

More photos

Mousy Plume Moth photo 2 — Photo: Niki Robertson, CC BY

Mousy Plume Moth photo 3 — Photo: Joseph McPhail, CC BY

Mousy Plume Moth photo 4 — Photo: Sara Donnelly, CC BY

Mousy Plume Moth photo 5 — Photo: Jessica, CC BY

Questions people ask

What plants do the larvae feed on?

The caterpillars eat the flower heads of many Asteraceae plants, including species of Erigeron, Conyza, Baccharis, Senecio, Symphyotrichum and Solidago.

Source: Wikipedia