Capperia britanniodactylus       Porrittia galactodactyla
45.030 BF1513  –  Pterophoridae –  Pterophorinae – Pterophorus pentadactyla – White Plume moth – (Linnaeus, 1758) Adult Micro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive Species –       PDF Icon – click for General Verification Guidelines  |   PDF Icon – click for Specific Verification Guidelines
Blue –  Generally Common / Widespread   
Taxonomy:   Micro   >>  Pterophoridae  >> Pterophorinae
ID Difficulty:  green  – easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.
ID pointers: Very distinctive and one of the larger plume moths. Wings are divided into several “fingers” each of which are intricately feathered or plumed.
Distribution:  Locally fairly common in the county on Convolvulus & Bindweed and generally found in gardens and on waste ground. 
Flight Period: June /  July /  August /  –  On the wing June & August. Moth Activity: Nocturnal  Crepuscular   – active from dusk into the night Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Bryan Barnacle, Dave Evans  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Wingspan: 26-34mm
 Food Plant: Dry grassland, waste ground and gardens.
Recorded dates for Common [Blue code Blue-coded] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.
Selected Images:  Froggatt, Derbyshire – Bryan Barnacle© / Belper – Dave Evans©

45.030 BF1513 - Pterophoridae - Pterophorinae - Pterophorus pentadactyla - White Plume Moth
Pterophorus pentadactyla – White Plume Moth – Frogatt – Bryan Barnacle
Pterophorus-pentadactyla-White Plume-22/6/2023 -Belper-Dave-Evans
Pterophorus-pentadactyla-White Plume-22/6/2023-Belper-Dave-Evans
45.030 BF1513 - Pterophoridae - Pterophorinae - Pterophorus pentadactyla - White Plume Moth
Pterophorus-pentadactyla-White Plume-22/6/2023 -Belper-Dave-Evans


Image Gallery

No gallery images found for this moth.


Distribution Map for Pterophorus pentadactyla

Found 201 records
    ↳ 23 from After 2025
    ↳ 44 from 2020 - 2024
    ↳ 134 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.


NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Pterophorus pentadactyla

⚠️ Please wait for the map to load fully – do not click the link shown.


Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however, the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.

Visit NBN Site


Monthly Records By Year: Pterophorus pentadactyla
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Monthly Counts By Year: Pterophorus pentadactyla
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only. )


First/Last Recorded Dates: Pterophorus pentadactyla
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]

Shading shows moth presence between dates

Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required

Recordings By Year: Pterophorus pentadactyla
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Pterophorus pentadactyla
AGR: -0.24%   |   Total % Change: -5.8%


CUSUM Analysis: Pterophorus pentadactyla
About this chart: CUSUM (Cumulative Sum) charts track long-term trends in moth populations [ filtered by 'Adult' and 'Mine' life stages ] by showing whether each year’s counts are above or below the historical average. Even small shifts build up over time, making trends of growth, stability, or decline easier to see. CUSUM highlights trend-consistency — asking: “Across the years, have moth counts mostly stayed above or below average?”
The data sample has 2 gap year/s here (zero records) between 2000 and 2025. The moth may have been present in those gap years, but no data was available. Too many year-gaps may exaggerate or skew the chart.

Counts for the current year (2025) are pro-rated based on data available up to month 8 (August) to provide a full-year equivalent.

ⓘ Purple line rises = years better than average; falls = years worse than average.
Peak (best year) Trough (worst year) Growth periods Decline periods
Population peaked around 2025, reaching above average levels. The lowest population point occurred near 2021, showing a significant decline.

What the Y-axis "Cumulative Deviation" means: Cumulative Deviation shows the running total of how each year’s moth population count differs from the long-term average. i

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Pterophorus pentadactyla
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Pterophorus pentadactyla
( data includes Adult Stage only )

Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2025.

Records Behind the Map and Charts - Pterophorus pentadactyla – 201 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageSource
upper cromford gardenSK25Y03/07/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N08/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A11/07/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Cote Heath Allotments, BuxtonSK07R17/07/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y12/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Aston-on-Trent, DerbyshireSK43A14/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Lowcroft, Buxton SK, UKSK07S13/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S19/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Cote Heath Allotments, BuxtonSK07R21/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y21/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S19/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak SKPH, UKSK08Q28/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
White Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R28/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley garden SYASK47H28/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y30/06/20252adultvc57_irecords_extract
Darley BridgeSK26Q28/06/20251Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N11/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N18/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N20/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N25/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N28/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N29/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Belper, DerbyshireSK34N30/06/20251adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H04/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Yorkshire BridgeSK28C13/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Yorkshire BridgeSK28C17/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y22/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y26/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y30/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Meersbrook, Sheffield S, UKSK38M28/07/20241Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A17/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ashford Marble MillSK16Z17/07/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
upper cromford gardenSK25Y23/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Markham Vale South TipSK47K26/06/20241adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H04/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Middleton by WirksworthSK25T01/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton SK, UKSK07S06/07/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton, Marlborough RoadSK43X07/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ninelands RoadSK28F08/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Yorkshire Bridge, Derbyshire, UKSK28C12/07/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Toton Washlands - SSK43X25/07/20231Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S07/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S28/07/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R30/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N22/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34N23/06/20231adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire Wild Life Trust Long CloughSK09G24/06/20232adultvc57_irecords_extract
Moss Way AllotmentsSK48F02/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
White Knowle Road, BuxtonSK07R28/07/20221Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Rosliston forestry centreSK21N29/07/202220Adultvc57_irecords_extract
HathersageSK28F11/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Kirk Hallam, IlkestonSK44K22/07/20221adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H08/07/20212adultvc57_irecords_extract
Staveley DerbyshireSK47H13/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F31/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R02/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R20/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Stretton Handley School - Beresford LnSK36Q01/07/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Jim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S17/07/20211Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S16/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
FroggattSK27N14/07/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Clarkes Plantation, Two Dales, MatlockSK26W23/07/20211adultDanes_2019-2021
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F26/06/20211adultvc57_irecords_extract
Derbyshire, England, GBSK23Q26/06/20201Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R14/06/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R26/06/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Woodland AveSK43R29/05/20201adultvc57_irecords_extract
Forbes HoleSK43W13/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Hathersage, Derbyshire, UKSK28F25/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave, BuxtonSK07S12/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern, Derbyshire, DEAZSK33A11/07/20191adultvc57_irecords_extract
Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments)SK07R29/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments)SK07R26/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T26/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments)SK07R22/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T17/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T07/07/20191adultDanes_2019-2021
Forbes HoleSK43W24/06/20193adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y18/07/20181Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Trowell Marsh LNRSK43U07/07/20181adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y03/07/20172Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X01/07/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X01/07/20171Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y18/07/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X19/05/20161Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Not givenSK43S03/07/20141Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S02/07/20141adultvc57_irecords_extract
Shipley Park (visitor centre), IlkestonSK44H19/07/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Gillfield Wood (nr scout hut), TotleySK37E12/07/20141Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Jim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S11/08/20131Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Jim Mart Lower NR,Press Lane,AltonSK36S11/08/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Jim Mart Nature ReserveSK36S20/07/20131Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S16/07/20133adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S22/07/20132adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft AveSK07S24/07/20131adultvc57_irecords_extract
Jim Mart Lower NR,Press Lane,AltonSK36S20/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T20/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T25/07/20132Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T23/07/20131Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Glebe Rise,Littleover,DerbySK33H08/09/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S17/08/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Street Lane Glow Worm siteSK34Y24/07/20121adultvc57_irecords_extract
Findern Close, BelperSK34P23/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T23/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Findern Close, BelperSK34P24/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Street Lane, Marehay, RipleySK34Y24/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S26/07/20121Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton SK, UKSK07S04/07/20111Adultvc57_irecords_extract
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S03/07/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ripley GreenwaySK44E26/06/20111adultvc57_irecords_extract
Bamford St,RipleySK34Z26/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Elgar Drive,Sawley,Long EatonSK43R26/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Shipley Park (mosaic grassland),IlkestonSK44L02/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Forbes Hole NR,Long EatonSK43W10/06/20111Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D02/08/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y07/07/20101Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S09/07/20103Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D21/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S25/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Back Lane,GlapwellSK46T06/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rose Av,ClowneSK57D09/07/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R15/05/20101Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R19/09/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S05/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Newboundmill Lane,PleasleySK56C09/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beauvale Drive,IlkestonSK44S14/08/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S13/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Littlewood,Barber Booth,EdaleSK18C14/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
West Park Meadows (LNR),SpondonSK33Y10/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R04/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R16/07/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Buxton (Cote Heath Allotments - plot )SK07R26/06/20091Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R20/09/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R21/09/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S08/09/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Foremark Resr, TicknallSK32H25/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R25/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Gallows Inn Close,IlkestonSK44Q13/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R22/07/20081Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ogston ResrSK36Q30/06/20082Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Staveley (hartington old colliery tip)SK47I20/05/20071Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R03/08/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ladycroft Ave,BuxtonSK07S22/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Wilmot St,Long EatonSK43R08/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ault Hucknall,GlapwellSK46S18/07/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S29/06/20061Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Whitwell Wood,Whitwell,WorksopSK57J18/09/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rectory Rd,Duckmanton,BolsoverSK47K21/08/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y01/07/20051Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y01/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U10/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S17/07/20051Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y06/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Pleasley Pit (old pit head bath site)SK46X06/08/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y16/07/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y16/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S23/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y27/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
The Hollies,Station Rd,Darley DaleSK26R03/07/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S06/06/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S13/06/20041Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rosliston National Forest CentreSK21N01/08/20031Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Main Street, Kings NewtonSK32Y22/08/20031Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U06/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Rosliston (National Forest Centre), SwadlincoteSK21N01/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Renishaw (canal)SK47P17/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Main St,Kings Newton,MelbourneSK32Y22/08/20031Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Carsington WaterSK25L16/07/20031Adultvc57_irecords_extract
St Cross, Sloade Lane, Ridgeway MoorSK38V07/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Grindleford (Padley Mill C)SK27P21/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U26/07/20011Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U13/09/20002Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U13/07/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U30/07/20001Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Beauchief NurserySK38F28/06/20001Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Beauchief NurserySK38F28/06/20001Adultvc57_irecords_extract
BelperSK34P23/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Charlesworth St,Carr Vale,BolsoverSK46U23/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Sheffield Rd, Sheepbridge, ChesterfieldSK37S24/07/19991Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Borrowash (Canal), Borrowash, DerbySK43C19/07/19961Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Parkway, New MillsSK08D13/07/19931Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Norbriggs FlashSK47M05/07/19921Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norbriggs FlashSK47M05/07/19921Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norbriggs FlashSK47M05/07/19921Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Norbriggs FlashSK47M05/07/19921Adultvc57_irecords_extract
Parkway, New MillsSK08D07/07/19921Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Parkway, New MillsSK08D19/07/19891Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Skinner St, Creswell, WorksopSK57H05/08/19881Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Threepieces, Veron Lane, Kelstedge, AshoverSK36G11/07/19851Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Threepieces, Veron Lane, Kelstedge, AshoverSK36G01/08/19841Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Knighton St, Hepthorne Lane, North WingfieldSK46C09/07/19821Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B06/08/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B18/07/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Willington, Derby (site not precise)SK22Y05/07/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Repton (site not precise)SK32B12/07/19811Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Field Close, Hilton, Burton on TrentSK23K09/07/19771Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Welbeck Rd, BolsoverSK47Q20/07/19691Adultvc57_danes_bc_data
Ramcroft Colliery, Palterton, BolsoverSK46N06/06/19532Adultvc57_danes_bc_data

Capperia britanniodactylus       Porrittia galactodactyla

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