The _Pterophori_ include only about forty British species, all of which, with two exceptions, belong to the family _Pterophoridae_. The two exceptions represent as many families--one the _Chrysocorididae_, and the other the _Alucitidae_. _Platyptilia gonodactyla_ This is one of the commonest of the _Pterophoridae_, generally appearing in our gardens and in waste places towards the end of May, and continuing with us for some time. It starts from its retreat at or before sunset, and remains on the wing after dark. [Illustration: FIG. 215.--GONODACTYLA.] Its fore wings are ochreous grey, with a narrow brown costal margin, and a triangular brown patch on the costa. Beyond this patch the wing is cleft. The hind wings consist of three distinct brownish plumes, the third of which has a small tuft of black scales projecting from the middle of the inner margin. The caterpillar feeds on the flower stalks of the coltsfoot during March and April. _Leioptilus osteodactylus_ This is another species of the same family. It is not uncommon, but is more local than the last. [Illustration: FIG. 216.--OSTEODACTYLUS.] Its fore wings are pale yellow, with a small brown dot at the commencement of the dividing fissure, and a brown blotch on the costal margin nearer the tip. The hind wings are divided into three distinct plumes like those of _Gonodactyla_. This is a later species, appearing on the wing in July. _Aciptilia pentadactyla_ The fore wings of this species are white, frequently with a few greyish scales, and are deeply divided into two feathery plumes. The hind wings are pure white, and consist of three plumes. [Illustration: FIG. 217.--PENTADACTYLA.] This pretty insect is common and widely distributed, and flies during June and July. The caterpillar feeds on the convolvulus in May. _Alucita hexadactyla_ Our last example of the _Pterophori_ is the Twelve-plume Moth, the only British representative of the family _Alucitidae_. This little insect is of a yellowish colour, with two dark bands across the fore wings; and both fore and hind wings are divided into six distinct feathers. It is a common moth, and frequents sheltered spots, flying at dusk. It appears in August, remains on the wing till October, and then hybernates till the following April. During the winter it is commonly met with in outhouses and even in dwelling houses. [Illustration: FIG. 218.--HEXADACTYLA--ENLARGED.] The caterpillar feeds during June and July on the flower buds of the honeysuckle (_Lonicera Periclymenum_). It is not hairy, like most of the larvae of the last family; and, unlike these, it changes to a chrysalis in a silken cocoon. _Crambi_ The third group of the 'Micros' is the _Crambi_, and contains about eighty species, arranged in four families.