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Plume moths
Family Pterophoridae

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Plume moths - the family Pterophoridae

The family includes two relatively common plume moths which are difficult to separate.

Amblyptilia punctidactyla and Amblyptilia acanthadactyla
 

Brindled Plume - Amblyptilia punctidactyla

Beautiful Plume - Amblyptilia acanthadactyla

The most obvious difference between the two is colour

Background colour is greyish brown or even greenish brown

Background colour is reddish brown

If the colour is not sufficiently distinct then it is necessary to look at the scale tufts on the hindwing. There are two of these on each wing and these are visible on the trailing edge even when the forewing covers the hindwing. The largest of these stands out farther from the wing in A.punctidactyla.

Scale tuft stands well out from the wing

Scale tuft stands out less

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