Alucita pectinata, Chania - photo © Fotis Samaritakis

Alucita pectinata, Chania - photo © Fotis Samaritakis

The Family Alucitidae (Many-plumed Moths)

The Family Alucitidae

The Alucitidae (Many-plumed Moths) are a very small family of moths of the superfamily Alucitoidea. with unusually modified wings. Adults of this family have both sets of wings divided into six plumes creating a structure similar to a bird’s feather. They have nocturnal or at most crepuscular habits, and are attracted to light.

When at rest they hold their wings outstretched and can often be found fluttering in the evening twilight or resting.

The tiny larvae of these moths bore into the flowers, buds, fruits, and stems of Lonicera plants.

The following species are representative species of the Alucitidae moths that have been photographed on the island of Crete. You can obtain more information about each species, by selecting the relative species icon. The list of Alucitidae species is nondefinitive.

List of Alucitidae species in Crete

Alucitidae species in Crete

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