Identification of Plume Moths
Plume moths are not the easiest to id at the best of times, and often one sees beaten-up, partially scaled individuals in the field. Wing patterns of many species are confusingly similar, or bland, making identification in the field difficult, or impossible, on wing pattern elements.
Fortunately, the dorsal body patterns are very handy id guides…. for most species (but not the genus Pterophorus!) [thx to Donald Hobern (@dhobern ) for this tip], as they seem to get less rubbed than wing scales (that would make up the wing patterns usually used for moth identification in the field)
Here’s 16 of the 22 HK species de-winged so one can appreciate the variation of pattern elements.
so what to use as help to id plume moth species?
hope these pointers help a little.
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