Oidaematophorus lithodactyla
Dusky Plume
Dusky Plume Oidaematophorus lithodactyla
Adult • disturbed from Pulicaria at dusk. Late July. • © Ian Smith

Oidaematophorus lithodactyla
Dusky Plume

45.037 BF1523

(Treitschke, 1833)

Wingspan 26-29 mm.

A reasonably common species in the southern half of England, becoming gradually scarcer in the north.

The adult moths have a greyish forewing with an angled darker marking just inside the cleft. Members of the genus Oidaematophorus have noticeable scale tufts on the tibia.

Flying in July and August, it occupies roadside verges and grassland habitats.

The larvae feed on common fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) or ploughman's spikenard (Inula conyza), initially in the shoots, but later on the leaves, which become riddled with holes.


Flight period

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