Platyptilia carduidactyla

Artichoke plume moth
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Pterophoridae
Genus:	Platyptilia
Species:	P. carduidactyla
Binomial name
	Platyptilia carduidactyla; (Riley, 1869)
Synonyms
	Platyptilia carduidactylus (Riley, 1869); Pterophorus carduidactylus Riley, 1869; Platyptilia cardui Zeller, 1873; Platyptilia hesperis Grinnell, 1908;

Platyptilia carduidactyla, the Artichoke plume moth, is a moth of the family Pterophoridae described by Riley in 1869. It is found in New Zealand and North America, from Mexico north into the United States.

The wingspan is 19–32 mm. Adults are on wing in July in Mexico and from May to September further north.

The larvae feed on Arctium, Carduus, Cirsium, Cynara and Silybum species. They are a pest of Cynara scolymus. The females lay their eggs on the bottom side of Artichoke plants. The caterpillars can cause considerable damage.

External links

University of California - Statewide Integrated Pest Management
Gielis, C. (2006). "Review of the Neotropical species of the family Pterophoridae, part I: Ochyroticinae, Deuterocopinae, Pterophorinae (Platyptiliini, Exelastini, Oxyptilini) (Lepidoptera)". Zoologische Mededelingen Leiden. 80–2 (1).

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