Fire-Flag Plume Moth

Fire-Flag Plume Moth

Sphenarches anisodactylus

Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Perth

In 3 days ~30% in a week ~50%

46 Verified sightings at Perth
8 In 1 park From 2019 to 2026
November Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Fire-Flag Plume Moth

Sphenarches anisodactylus, commonly known as the geranium plume moth or fire-flag plume moth, is a species of moth in the family Pterophoridae. It is found in western Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Japan, the New Hebrides and Central and South America, as well as Australia, where it has been recorded from Cape York to central New South Wales. It is found in the United States, where it has been recorded from Florida, as well as Mississippi. It is also present in the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand.

The wingspan is about 10 millimetres (0.39 in). The larvae feed on flower buds and flowers of Dolichos lablab, Lagenaria, Pelargonium and Fabaceae species. Other recorded food plants include Brillantaisia lamium, Caperonia castaneifolia, Phaseolus vulgaris, Hibiscus mutabilis, Thalia geniculata, Mimosa pudica, Orchidaceae, Averrhoa bilimbi, Passiflora foetida, Antirrhinum majus, Theobroma cacao and Lantana camara. Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Blue Mountains National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Perth 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
2 Melbourne 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
3 Sydney 🇦🇺 Australia
~10%
4 Brisbane 🇦🇺 Australia
<5%
5 Chennai 🇮🇳 India
<5%
6 Houston 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
7 Dallas 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
8 Singapore 🇸🇬 Singapore
<5%
9 Austin 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
10 Miami 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Fire-Flag Plume Moth in Perth?

With luck

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Fire-Flag Plume Moth sighting in Perth on a given day, based on 46 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 44th most-seen of the 275 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Fire-Flag Plume Moth in Perth?

January and March–November

In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Fire-Flag Plume Moth in Perth on a given day, against under 5% in February and December, the lowest months.

What time of day is best to see a Fire-Flag Plume Moth?

Between 8 and 11 am

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Fire-Flag Plume Moth sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Perth the best place to see a Fire-Flag Plume Moth?

Yes

Of the 10 cities where we can rate Fire-Flag Plume Moth sightings, Perth has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Melbourne (Australia, about 10%) and Sydney (Australia, about 10%).

Where does the Fire-Flag Plume Moth sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Fire-Flag Plume Moth is recorded against all the insects logged in Perth (46 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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