Many-plumed moth
From Free net encyclopedia
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Alucitidae
| image = Haeckel Tineida.jpg
| image_caption = "Tineida" from Ernst Haeckel's Artforms of Nature, 1904
| regnum = Animalia
| phylum = Arthropoda
| classis = Insecta
| ordo = Lepidoptera
| subordo = Ditrysia
| superfamilia = Alucitoidea
| familia = Alucitidae
| familia_authority = Leach, 1815
| type_species = Alucita hexadactyla
| diversity = 9 genera
130 species
| diversity_link = Lepidopteran diversity
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision =
Alinguata
Alucita
Hebdomactis
Hexeretmis
Microschismus
Paelia
Prymnotomis
Pterotopteryx
Triscaedecia
}}
The Alucitidae or many-plumed moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings. Both fore- and hind-wings consist of about six rigid spines, from which radiate flexible bristles creating a structure similar to a bird's feather.
The family is small with about 130 species described. Both in Britain and North America only one of these is found - Alucita hexadactyla. This smallish moth can often be found fluttering in the evening twilight or resting with its 'wings' outstretched. Its larvae feed on honeysuckle (Lonicera).
