#july2019

Plain Plume Moth - Hellinsia homodactylus (very likely)

When it comes to insects such as this one, there can genuinely be dozens of species which fit this profile. That is to say, a near all-white body, elongated legs, a white head and antennae, and the signature rolled wings of the family Pterophoridae. Many of them also frequent the undersides of leaves and herbs to catch a break with daytime flights (and they may be found at night as well). As far as this identification goes, I'm fairly confident in the Hellinsia genus but not 100% certain, so there could be reason to consider re-labelling this find as a different species if new evidence can be gathered from these images. Especially since - due to the aforementioned overlap of form and features of other Plume Moths - coloration is not dependable as an identification tool. Case in point: other species of Moths may typically feature brown scale patches along their snow-white scaled wings, but this can be highly inconsistent. Especially if the wing patterns are reduced or outright missing. Based on the frontal view and steep angle of Pictures 2 and 4, this individual may actually possess the aforementioned brown scales, but this could also be dust, environmental debris or simply discoloration. However, I'm not ruling the possibility out yet.

Something else that gives me pause when it comes to this Plume Moth are its midlegs. Compared to other species, a Plain Plume Moth apparently has a greater concentration of scales along its tibia, visible before the leg spurs. There are structures on this individual that may be match, but a closer look would be best to achieve that. Essentially what this post is getting at is that as many close-ups as possible are needed when it comes to Plume Moth identification. And pictures of such a Lepidopteran necessitate head, eye, and antenna pictures as well in order to answer questions such as, "does your Moth have white head or a brown head?" Such a question can make the difference with this species and a similar insect such as the Milky Plume Moth (H. Lacteodactylus) or Groundsel Plume Moth (H. balanotes). Otherwise, you will need a high magnification equipment in order to examine the abdomen's genitalia regions for differences. Lamentably, while Plume Moths prove themselves to be very distinct in appearance thanks to their wings at rest, identification down to the genus and species can be notoriously technical just from images. As a briefly reminder about those wings before concluding, they do not slice through the air and glide around using blade-shaped wings. Rather, the wings are rolled up while at rest, and they unfurl the lobes to achieve an elegant flight using feather-like forewings and more bristly hindwings.