Platyptilia isodactylus

Platyptilia isodactylus (ragwort plume moth or ragwort crown-boring plume moth) is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is native to central Europe, Mediterranean North Africa and southern Europe. It has also been recorded from China.[1] It has been introduced in Australia as a biological control agent for ragwort.

The wingspan is about 19–29 mm. The wings are pale fawn or brown in colour with dark bands at the ends and variable V or double V shaped dark brown bands approximately one third of the wing length from the wing tip. The body and legs are lighter brown. The forewing is divided into two lobes and the hindwing into three feather-like plumes. The middle and hind legs are very long and have prominent spines. Adults have a characteristic resting posture with the body and fully outstretched wings forming a T shape, the forewing covering the hindwing, and the hind legs raised and extended parallel with the body. Males have longer, thinner abdomens.

The larvae feed on Senecio jacobaea, Senecio aquaticus and Senecio nemorensis.