Twenty-plume Moth

Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus, 1758 belongs to Alucitidae. It is the only member of this family recorded in Britain. [1][2]

The 14–16 mm wingspan contains four wings divided into six fronds each. White, brown and black chevrons continue across the narrow, feather-edged divisions. [1]

The moth is widespread in Britain and Ireland and occupies gardens and woodland with honeysuckle. [1]

Adults may be found in Britain at almost any season, rather than within a single short summer flight period. [2]

Honeysuckles, Lonicera, supply the larvae’s buds, flowers and leaves. The genomic account names Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum and L. xylosteum among the associated species. [1][3]

The adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. A mating pair photographed on a lit kitchen window was documented by De Vlinderstichting in April 2012. [2][3]

The male genome assembly spans 878.53 megabases. Approximately 99.74% of that sequence was assigned to 30 chromosome-scale pseudomolecules, including the Z chromosome. [1]

The epithet hexadactyla means “six-fingered”, referring to each wing’s six divisions. The English name “twenty-plume” understates the complete complement of 24 fronds. [1][2]

Keep the enclosure closed and display it in indirect light, away from heat and damp conditions. Handle the frame by its edges and clean only its exterior according to the maker’s instructions.